Freshmen Lead the Way as Men's Varsity Takes First Game of 20-21 Season

In the first NCAA hockey game at any level since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the Men's NCAA team took on the Trine University Thunder for their home opener on Friday night.

The Thunder would strike first, scoring a quick goal at 1:02 of the first frame. The Bulldogs would answer back at the 4:43 mark with freshman Connor May's first goal in an Adrian sweater. Alessio Luciani would assist.

Trevor Coykendall would give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game 59 seconds into the second period with assists from Nick Lund and captain Matt Eller. Zach Goberis would also add his first goal as a Bulldog in the second frame with assists going to Coykendall and Jacob Breckles. The Thunder would pull within one at the 15:27 mark and the two teams would head to the third with the Bulldogs up by a score of 3-2.

May would score his second of the game at the 11:24 mark of the third period to give the Bulldogs a two goal lead once again. Terry Ryder and Rex Moe would assist. The Thunder would pull within one once at the 13:46 mark of the third. Luciani's first of the year would once again give the home team a two goal lead. Andrew McCann would add the lone assist. Dawson Ellis' first tally of his Bulldog career would secure the win for the Bulldogs with 1:48 left in the game.

Cam Gray would pick up the win for the Bulldogs as they would take the W in the first NCAA hockey game in the nation since March. The Bulldogs take on the Concordia University-WI Falcons next Thursday at Arrington Ice Arena.