Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team drew level for two minutes and 25 seconds halfway through the second period before the No. 7-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors ripped away any momentum the Saints had just gained. The Warriors added on three more goals later to secure a 5-2 road win at the Southside Ice Arena.

WHAC-leading Indiana Tech (22-2) extended its current winning streak to 14 games while ending Aquinas' five-game win streak. The Saints (13-11) are now back at the .500 mark in conference play with a 8-8 WHAC record.

Both teams were feeling each other out in the first period with ITU edging AQ in shots on target (12-7) and eventually finding the opening goal. Matej Krasny knocked in the puck at the front net off an assist from Cole Barney with 3:29 remaining in the first frame. Two of AQ's three penalties came in the first period. The Saints killed off all three penalties and forced the Warriors to score even-strength goals.

Just past the halfway mark of the contest, AQ junior forward Danny Barry snapped in the equalizer from the right side of the ice. Christian Look provided the assist. It was Barry's 12th goal of the season — tying him for third most on the team with Darren Johnson, as both trail the team's scoring leader Dylan Rumpke (21) and Brandon Rozema (14).

The Warriors lashed back after losing their lead, scoring two more times in the middle frame to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Barney from Alex Arnold and Francesco Santaniello from Joseph Fata had restored ITU's comfortable cushion in a matter of minutes.

A fourth Warriors' goal by Malik Ali, assisted by Aidan Dufort, looked to be the final dagger with 13:18 left to play.

Aquinas was given a glimmer of hope when Barney picked up a five-minute major penalty for spearing with 10:44 remaining. Three minutes later, ITU's Pavel Svoboda went to the box for roughing to give the Saints a two-skater advantage. AQ head coach Kyle Gagneau rolled the dice and decided to pull goaltender Max Johnston with 7:55 remaining to have a 6-on-3 advantage for roughly two minutes, or until the Saints scored.

Which they did, as a bouncing puck pinballed around and snuck underneath Warriors goalie Ty Barnhill to make it 4-2 with 6:15 left to play. Xavier Erickson was credited with an unassisted goal. His second goal in three games after just recently joining the team.

Indiana Tech killed off the remaining penalties they faced the rest of the game, but did see Arnold get kicked out following a game misconduct and Avery Smith issued a disqualification after the contest was over — meaning he can't play in ITU's next game.

Brandon Plummer scored the Warriors' final tally with 5:23 remaining with TJ Dougan and Cam Chabot picking up the assists.

Aquinas ended up being outshot 39-30 for the game. Johnston made a couple of highlight reel saves, but was that wasn't enough to stop the ITU's relentless attack.

The Saints and Warriors have a rematch tomorrow at Indiana Tech. Puck drop is set for 5:30 p.m.