Syracuse Ends Skid With Historic Win

By Amir Mehrtash and Shira Mandell

Photo Credit: Maria Kaffes / @mariakaffesimages

ADRIAN, MI — Syracuse University Men’s Hockey (2-6-2) hit the road this weekend to take on  #2 ranked Adrian College (8-1-1) in a two-game non-conference series. 

The Orange looked to bounce back after last weekend’s home series against IUP but would face a challenging Bulldogs team that is widely considered one of the powerhouses of the ACHA. Adrian College went 32-4-2 on their way to a second straight ACHA National Championship appearance last season. Although the Bulldogs fell to UNLV in last year’s title game, they were crowned champions of the ACHA in 2018, 2021, and again in 2024.

Friday night’s matchup at Arrington Ice Arena marked a special milestone for team captain Connor Chesner, who skated in his 100th career game for Syracuse. The night, however, ended in a tough 10-4 defeat, as the Orange battled through a high-scoring contest to begin the weekend series.

Adrian wasted no time getting on the board in the game’s opening seconds. Bulldogs Forward Justin Jamer converted on their first shot of the game 11 seconds in to set the tone for AC early. Although freshman Nathan McLean cut into the lead midway through the frame, Adrian’s attack proved too much, taking a 4-1 advantage after one.

The second period brought physicality, leading to numerous Syracuse penalties. The Bulldogs struck on multiple power plays, including a goal by Sophomore Keegan DeCaluwe just two minutes into the period. 

Despite the adversity, the Orange rallied as freshman Ben Brant redirected a shot into the net to spark the offense. Just seconds later, junior Kade Cook buried a quick strike to keep the momentum rolling. Minutes after, Brant broke free for a shorthanded goal—Syracuse’s third tally in just under 2 minutes—to cut the deficit to 7-4. Adrian, however, quickly regained control, capitalizing twice on an extended powerplay to carry a 9-4 lead into the intermission.

Freshman goaltender Cash Lawrence took over in the third and impressed in relief, making several key saves. The game wrapped up with a 10–4 final, closing out the first matchup of the weekend series.

The Orange continued this energy into Saturday’s rematch – a game that would turn out to be one of their biggest wins in program history. 

Looking to bounce back in game two, the Orange tightened up defensively and set the tone early. Brant buried his sixth of the year off feeds from Defenseman Ryan Thomas and Forward Brendan Duffy to give Syracuse the early advantage on the powerplay. Syracuse would take their first lead of the weekend into the first intermission.

Early in the second, Adrian’s Griffin Zaske found the back of the net to even the score and then Adrian took advantage of a breakaway after a 4 on 4 penalty had expired to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the afternoon.

Syracuse responded just over 40 seconds later while on a 5 on 3 advantage. Ben Brant tallied his second of the game and 4th of the series to tie the game at 2.

After a scoreless third, the game was sent to a 3-on-3 five minute overtime period. Both teams traded chances but even after an Adrian 4-on-3 man advantage in the extra frame the game remained knotted at 2. 

After shootout goals from Jack Wren, Brendan Duffy, and Connor Chesner the Orange found themselves up a goal in round 6 of the shootout. Adrian’s Alex Schaumburger was in a must score situation to keep Adrian’s hopes alive but senior goaltender AJ Finta shut the door and secured the 3-2 shootout win for the Orange.

The Syracuse win over Adrian marks the highest win over a ranked opponent in the program’s history. Coming into Saturday Adrian had just one loss to an unranked opponent since 2016.

The Orange will look to build off the historic win on Friday evening as they return home to host Misericordia (ACHA Division II) for the team’s annual Pink the Rink game on October 24th at 6 p.m.

All home games are played at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are streamed live on the SU Hockey Network. Radio broadcasts are also available for all away games.