ANGOLA, Ind. -- The Trine University men's hockey team fell behind in the first period but pulled back within one of visiting Adrian College dropping another close contest with the nationally-ranked opposition, 3-2.
The Bulldogs, who were ranked third in the most recent USCHO.com national poll, took advantage of power play opportunities to build a 3-0 lead in the first period.
In the sixth minute of the second period the Thunder pulled back within two. Freshman Bobby Price (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) stole the puck just outside of the team's offensive zone before skating around the defense and firing a shot from the left side. The goal, his fifth of the season, made the score 3-1.
Trine was finally able to take advantage of a power play of their own in the fourth minute of the third period. Senior Brandon Krumpschmid (Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored the goal following a pair of quick passes earning assists for freshman Tyler Shetland (Laguna Hills, Calif.) and junior Brett Piper (Cartier, Manitoba).
Despite their best efforts, the Thunder were unable to tie the game over the final 16 minutes of regulation and would finish the game down 3-2.
Sophomore Elias Sandholm (Stockholm, Sweden) entered the game in net at the start of the second period for Trine. He would turn in two shutout periods to keep the comeback hopes alive. He finished the game with 20 saves.
The Thunder fall to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play following the loss. They will take the ice again on Tuesday, Nov. 23 when they host Chatham University for a 7 p.m. game.