Men’s hockey defeated USA U18 NTDP in Wednesday’s competition

ADRIAN, Mich. The Adrian College NCAA men’s ice hockey team played their annual game against the USA U18 National Team Development Program on Tuesday night at Arrington Ice Arena. The Bulldogs won 5-4, snapping a five-game losing streak against Team USA.

The USA struck first with an early goal just over a minute into the first period. Two and a half minutes later, Matus Spodniak equaled 1-1. Later on, Alessio Luciani scored and gave Adrian the lead. Spodniak recorded his second point of the game with an assist. The USA continued to tie the game at 2-2 with plenty of time remaining, but John Kaljian added an unassisted goal before the end of the period to lead 3-2 at the break.

In the second set, Adrian increased his lead to two. Ryan Pitoscia took advantage of the Bulldog power play and scored on an assist Ty Enns and Austin Clyne lead 4-2. Just over a minute later, USA scored to bring Adrian’s lead back to one heading into the third period.

The USA continued to tie the game in the third set, when the situation was 4-4. Later on, Mathew Rehding found the opportunity and scored the game-winning goal with eight and a half minutes left in the game. As time expired, the USA pulled their goaltender, but the Adrian defense kept them from scoring to pick up the win.

Dershahn Stewart started Adrian in goal on Tuesday night, finishing the night with 26 saves.

Tuesday’s win marks the sixth time in program history that the Bulldogs have won the USA U18 NTDP out of 18 overall. The win also snaps a five-game losing streak for the USA that began on January 10, 2021 on the road.

Adrian hosts an NCHA home series this weekend against Concordia University Wisconsin. The two-game series begins Friday at 7:00 p.m., followed by Saturday at 3:00 p.m.