The AQ men's hockey squad took on the Concordia University of Ann Arbor Cardinals tonight (Dec. 3) in its third match of the week. The game was the first of the two-game series between the Saints and the Cardinals.
Max Johnston posted a shutout victory as the Saints topped Concordia by a score of 3-0. Stewart, Johnson, and Curran would score the three goals for AQ.
The first period with an early powerplay opportunity for the Saints at 17:31 in the first. Unfortunately, AQ was only able to get one shot on goal and wasn't able to take advantage of the powerplay.
Nick Long was put in the box a couple minutes later for a hooking call. The Saints successfully killed that powerplay, and the game went on at full strength. Both teams went back and forth until Concordia was penalized for an unsportsmanlike conduct. Aquinas capitalized this time with the captain,
Mason Stewart, slotting the put into the top right corner of the net at 7:24 in the first period. The goal was assisted by junior
Alex Klekotka. AQ would have a few more chances, but nothing materialized as both teams entered the locker room with the score 1-0 in favor of the Saints.
The second period wasn't too eventful until
Darren Johnson scored at 12:15, giving him his third goal in three days. The goal was assisted by Danny Nelson and
Nick Long. That goal increases Johnson's team-leading total goal count to eight on the season. Both sides traded a few shots here and there until there was about five minutes left in the period.
Mitchell Hoon was put into the penalty box at 5:26 in the second period. That was followed by
Thomas Davis getting called for slashing 36 seconds later, giving Concordia a five-on-three opportunity. Aquinas impressively killed that powerplay, maintaining its two-to-nothing lead heading into the final period.
The third period was a stalemate between both sides.
Max Johnston had a couple of nice saves throughout the period to keep the shutout alive. Concordia pulled its goalie with two minutes left to play in regulation. The puck took an awkward bounce to the feet of
Mike Curran, who skated the puck into the net to make the final score 3-0.
Aquinas is now 10-4 and 8-3 in WHAC conference play.
Johnson for 30 for 30 on saves tonight, picking up his second win of the week. Aquinas outshot Concordia by a total of 40 shots to 30.
Aquinas will play Concordia on the road tomorrow night at 8:00 PM at the Chelsea Arctic Coliseum.
