Howell, Mich. — One goal led to another and then another at both ends of the ice on Friday night (Nov. 18) with the streaky scoring creating an unpredictable game that finished with Cleary scoring five unanswered goals in the third period to pick up its third win of the season.

The Aquinas men's hockey team battled back from down 3-1 to take a 5-3 lead only to fall 8-5. 

The Saints (7-8, 4-7 WHAC) dipped below the .500 mark with the loss, while Cleary (3-12, 3-8 WHAC) won its third straight game after starting the season with 12 consecutive losses.

AQ's Alex Johnson opened the scoring with an unassisted goal 12:37 into the first period. Shortly after, Cleary answered with a string of three goals in less than three minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Ben Gledhow, Wes Smith and Jonny Gardiner all scored for the Cougars.

The Saints clawed back and regained the lead with four straight goals in the second period. Christian Look got AQ within one at 3-2 before Dylan Rumpke buried the equalizer and then the go-ahead goal shorthanded in a span of 1:33 at the end of the period. 

If that wasn't exciting enough, Gustav Ostman beat the buzzer to score the Saints' fifth goal with five seconds left in the period. Aquinas' assists in the period went to Mitchell Hoon (x2), Shane DiTullio, Danny Barry, Brandon Rozema and Arthur Prukhitsky.

Cleary, however, regrouped and found another gear in the third period. The Cougars netted three even-strength tallies from Smith, Gledhow and Cam Thomas to take a 6-5 lead with 6:16 remaining. Then at the end, once Aquinas pulled its goalie, Cleary added two more empty-net goals. Gardiner scored his second goal of the game, while Smith finished off his hat trick in the final seconds.

It's the second straight game the Saints have given up four or more goals in the third period.

The Cougars scored their five third-period goals on nine shots. Aquinas ended up outshooting Cleary 41-29 in the game, but failed to capitalize on five power play opportunities.

Aquinas looks to turn things around on Saturday (Nov. 19) at the Southside Ice Arena. Puck drop for the rematch against Cleary is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Byron Center, Mich.