A goal from junior forward Cody Guidorzi was not enough to power the Forester men's hockey team past Adrian College, the top-ranked team in the country, as they came up just short in a 2-1 loss.
An Adrian defenseman got the lone goal of the first period when he threw a rocket from the left point that went post and in just 4:01 into the opening period. The Foresters had several chances in the first, outshooting the Bulldogs 12-6, but trailed 1-0 when the buzzer sounded.
The score remained 1-0 until Guidorzi caught the Adrian goaltender off guard as he walked across the Bulldog blue line and simply put a shot on net. The goalie was able to slow the puck down but it slid into the right side of the goal at the 7:00 mark of the middle frame. It was the St. Louis native's eighth score of the season, tying him with freshman forward Joe Sardina for the team lead. Freshman defenseman Mark Dermanulian picked up his second assist of the season on the goal. Outshooting the Bulldogs through two periods 20-15, the Foresters went to the dressing room for the second intermission tied at one.
A costly penalty at 8:21 in the final period proved to be the difference maker in the contest as the Bulldogs were able to capitalize with a power play goal and escape with a 2-1 win.
The Bulldogs improved to 17-5-0 overall and 14-1-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play while the Foresters dropped to 11-10-1 overall and 8-6-1 in the NCHA.
Lake Forest will host Trine University Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for Alumni Night. In addition, the 2018 Peter Taylor Award will be presented between the first and second periods.
by Cam McGuire