The AQ men's hockey team played their third game in four days last night (Dec. 4), taking on Concordia University of Ann Arbor for the second game of the series. The game held at Chelsea Arctic Coliseum ended with the Saints taking home its third win of the week with a sweep of Concordia.
The Saints started the game with a hot start.
Thomas Davis netted his second goal of the season just a minute and ten seconds into the first period. The goal was assisted by fellow defender
Brandon Schwandt, his first goal contribution of the year. Aquinas continued to put the pressure on Concordia and the effort resulted in another goal at 14:55 in the first period.
David Elford netted the goal, his fifth of the year. The goal was assisted by
Mason Stewart and
Alex Klekotka. That assist was Stewart's team-leading ninth assist of the season. Aquinas continued with the pressure but wasn't able to score again for the rest of the period. There were a pair of penalties throughout the rest of the period, one on Concordia and one on
Mike Curran for roughing, but neither powerplay opportunity amounted to anything. The period ended with the score at 2-0 in favor of Aquinas.
The second period started with the Cardinals getting into foul trouble early due to a delay of game. Klekotka would take advantage of the powerplay opportunity right away, putting AQ up 3-0. Stewart picked up another assist, his 10th of the season.
Russell Shengulette was the other contributor to the goal, his sixth of the year. Nothing else would happen for the remainder of the second period, as Concordia's goalie saved several good opportunities from AQ.
The third period picked up where the second left off, with AQ continuing the pressure. The Saints would finally break through at 9:50 in the period, with
Dylan Rumpke tucking the puck into the back of the net to make the game 4-1.
Brandon Rozema picked up his fourth assist of the game. Stewart grabbed his third assist of the game and his 11th of the season, giving him a hat trick of assists.
Concordia would get another powerplay opportunity late in the third period and score at 2:35 to bring to score to 4-2. Aquinas would get one last powerplay opportunity at the end of the third period that resulted in Stewart scoring a goal to bring the score to 5-2. The goal was assisted by Rozema and Rumpke.
Max Johnston picked up his third win this week, saving 12 of 14 shots on target. Aquinas outshot Concordia by a massive margin of 41 to 14.
AQ is now 11-4 on the season and 9-3 in conference play.
Aquinas has another busy weekend ahead of themselves, starting with a rare Thursday afternoon game against Concordia. The game is set to begin at 2:40 PM at Southside Ice Arena.
