Defensemen Mark Esshaki and Connor Duncan netted power play goals but the Lake Forest College men's hockey team was defeated 5-2 Saturday evening by visiting Adrian College, the eighth-ranked team in the nation.
Esshaki, a senior, scored with 5:50 remaining in the opening period to tie the game at one. His fourth goal of the year was assisted by Duncan, a freshman, and sophomore forward Bron Loiselle. The Bulldogs regained the lead with their second power play goal of the game just 41 seconds later and led 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.
Adrian added to its lead a minute-and-a-half into the second period and the visitors' third power play goal of the contest at 11:33 made the score 4-1.
The final goal of the game for Adrian was scored three minutes into the third period. Duncan then converted a power play opportunity with 5:11 on the clock with Esshaki earned the assist. It was the second score of the season for Duncan.
The Bulldogs had a 44-31 edge in shots on goal on the night.
The loss dropped the Foresters' overall record to 9-8-0 and their Northern Collegiate Hockey Association mark to 5-7-0. Adrian improved to 12-3-2 overall and 11-1-0 in the league.
Lake Forest will play a home-and-home series with Marian University next weekend. The teams will face off in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at 7:00 Friday night and in Lake Forest at the same time on Saturday.
