The Aquinas men's hockey team earned a WHAC weekend split with Indiana Tech this weekend, with each team winning a one-goal game on its home ice. AQ captured a 4-3 victory on Friday (Feb. 26) at Southside Ice Arena, while the Warriors tallied a 2-1 win on Saturday (Feb. 27) in Fort Wayne, Ind.

With the results, Aquinas is 3-5 on the season and 1-2 in WHAC play. Indiana Tech is now 8-6 overall and 6-2 in league action.

In Friday's opening game of the series, the Saints jumped on the scoreboard first with a Darren Johnson goal less than five minutes into the game. Arthur Pruhitsky and Alex Klekotka tallied assists on the early goal. It was 1-1 midway through the second period, when Klekotka found the back of the net on a pass from Greg McQuade and Russell Shengulette.

AQ led 2-1 entering the third period and Nick Long scored 32 seconds into the frame for a 3-1 lead. Klekotka was again involved on the power play goal, tallying an assist along with Mason Stewart. After a Warrior goal made it a one-score game, McQuade notched a shorthanded goal with 11:13 remaining to put the home Saints in front 4-2. Indiana Tech scored 73 seconds later, but it would be the final tally of the game.

The Warriors outshot AQ by a 42-23 margin, but Aquinas received points from seven different players. Klekotka tallied two assists and a goal, while McQuade added a goal and an assist. Roman Malkov stopped 39 shots in net for the Saints to earn the victory.

Saturday's encore was another thriller. Each team scored in the first period, with Indiana Tech netting a power play goal at the 7:22 mark. Seven minutes later, Brandon Rozema found the back of the net to knot the score at 1-1. Kyle Truax and Nick Long were credited with the assist for the Saints.

There was no scoring in the second period. Indiana Tech took a 2-1 lead less than 90 seconds into the third period and neither team would score again. Aquinas had several shots at game-tying goals in the final few minutes, but could not tie the game up before time expired.

Again, Indiana Tech led in shots by a 29-18 difference. Nick Ottenbacher tended goal for the Saints and made 27 saves in defeat.

Aquinas is back in action on next weekend with three games. The Saints face Cleary next Thursday (Mar. 4) in Howell before beginning a two-game homestand against Rochester next Friday and Saturday (Mar. 5-6).