ADRIAN, Mich. -- Tenth-ranked Adrian College held on for a 3-2 victory Friday over Lawrence University in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Harris Cup semifinals at Arrington Ice Arena.
Zach Graham scored two goals for Adrian (23-3-0), including what proved to be the game-winner just 4:18 into the final period.
This marks the second consecutive season Lawrence (10-16-2) has seen its season end in the Harris Cup semifinals.
Adrian jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period. Graham made it 1-0 when he scored at the 4:19 mark of the opening period. The Bulldogs expanded the lead to 2-0 when Joel Workman scored at the 17:00 mark.
A late outburst in the second period allowed Lawrence to tie the score. After Brad Houston was called for holding at 15:44, Mike Ackley cashed in on the power play for Lawrence to cut the lead to 2-1 at 17:00. Matt Hughes and Gustav Ahlberg picked up assists on the goal.
Lawrence's Jameson Raymond tied the score at 2-2 just 1:33 later when he scored off a pass from Hughes.
After Graham scored early in the third period to put Adrian up 3-2, the teams skated at even strength for the remainder of the period. Lawrence pulled goaltender Evan Johnson for the final 36 seconds but wasn't able to get the equalizer.
Johnson finished with 35 saves for the Vikings, and Brad Fogal stopped 26 shots for Adrian.
Adrian faces Marian University in the championship game on Saturday. The winner receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.