The clock struck midnight a little too early for the Grand Valley State Division II hockey team, as the Lakers’ season ended with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Adrian College Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Before this loss, GVSU had previously won 15 games in a row, gaining rapid momentum and looking in prime form for contention. But a tough defense and strong goaltending from Adrian killed all that momentum, and the Lakers came home from the Missouri Regional empty-handed.

“It was not the outcome we wanted,” said senior Troy Marrett, reflecting on his last game played in a GVSU uniform. “We played well for the first 60 minutes and got our offense going with a lot of shots on goal. They just had a hot goalie down the stretch.”

In the middle of the second period, the Lakers fell into a 2-0 hole before scoring three unanswered goals of their own, with two goals from Ryan Hein and one from Tommy Carey. Adrian tied it up at three late in the third period and proceeded to ride that momentum into the overtime period.

“We came out a little tentative in the first period,” Marrett said. “It was a pretty tense playoff game. They got up early and we couldn’t recover.”

According to the senior leader, it was a bittersweet atmosphere in the locker room following the loss.

“We were happy that the long season is done, but it was sad to see it all be over,” Marrett said. “With the group of guys we had, we always enjoyed everybody’s company and had some time to reminisce about all our favorite memories (from) this year.”

Even though it ended rather abruptly, this hockey season is not one to be forgotten. The team finished with a 24-4-3 record, including a stout 14-2-2 home record and only posting two losses on the road.

“Including the regional game, we only lost four games this season,” Marrett said. “I have no bad things to say about the team because we had previously won 15 games in a row before last night. We definitely played our hearts out.”

Despite the loss last night, Marrett continued to say positive things about this season, including how satisfied he was not only with this year’s team but also his GVSU hockey career as a whole.

“It was a great opportunity, and I wouldn’t do anything differently,” Marrett said. “With all the great teams we’ve had here and the way we battled, I don’t regret anything.”

Marrett took away a lot of lessons from his time here at GVSU, and he, along with fellow seniors Carey, Buck Maynard, Reede Burnett and Lucas Little, will be greatly missed on next year’s team.

“I worked hard and I really did have a great time,” Marrett said. “I wish we could have won this game, but I enjoyed the ride.”

In the last question posed to the GVSU hockey team this season, Marrett offered some solid advice to any future hockey players looking to join this prestigious hockey squad.

“I would say enjoy it,” Marrett said. “You’re going to have fun and learn a lot along the way.”

While the season is over for the GVSU men’s Division II hockey team, the year may not be over for the women’s team as they look to earn a bid at Nationals despite a tough loss in Regional play.