GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin ACHA D1 hockey team took the No. 4 ranked Adrian Bulldogs to the wire before falling 3-1 in the championship final of the GLCHL Tournament Saturday night at Eagles Ice Center.
Ranked 15
th nationally, the Knights are hopeful of a bid to the upcoming ACHA D1 Tournament scheduled to take place in mid-March in Boston, Massachusetts. The national tournament field is expected to be announced on either Monday or Tuesday.
After falling to Adrian 4-1 and 5-0 early this season, Calvin (22-7-3) battled the Bulldogs on even terms for a good portion of Saturday's championship contest Calvin tied the game 1-1 on a goal by senior
Jacob Siebenga in the closing seconds of the second period with
Kyle VanDusen and
Krzysztof Petryla drawing assists on the play.
Calvin nearly took the lead in the third period on a shot from freshman
Steven Ickes that hit the crossbar. Adrian took the 2-1 lead on a deflected shot in front of the net with 10 minutes left. Calvin continued to pressure but the Bulldogs added an empty net goal with 1:19 to play to seal the win.
Adrian held a 47-25 shots at goal advantage. Calvin freshman goaltender
Carlos Siso came up with 45 saves for the Knights in a valiant effort.
COACHES COMMENT: "We played a great game and ended up coming up on the short end tonight," said Calvin head coach
Mike Petrusma. "We are a young team that continues to build. Now we will wait to see if we get a bid to the national tourney."
