Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team hosted Concordia on Saturday (Nov. 11) as part of their two game series. AQ narrowly passed the Cardinals the night previously (Nov. 10) in Ann Arbor by a 4-3 final. Saturday's game saw the Saints take a more dominant lead and once again defeat Concordia with a 5-3 finish.

The two WHAC competitors were holding one another at center ice for the first portion of the first period. Aquinas went on to be the first team to strike, as Brandon Rozema drilled one in with just over four minutes into the contest. Rozema was assisted by Dylan Rumpke and Kirwin Johnson. Concordia kept testing the Saints in an effort to answer the goal, as the Cardinals finally struck with 5:54 remaining. Both teams were looking to get one up on another before intermission, the play quickened with each dwindling second. 

As time was winding down Austin Gilmore found an angle and glided one in unassisted with just four seconds remaining in the first. Shortly after the horn sounded and the Saints were up 2-1 at intermission.

The Cardinals were the first to tally another in the second. Tying the game at 2-2 with just under 17 minutes to play for the period. With 10:46 on the clock Gilmore once again had a breakaway and drilled in another unassisted goal for the Saints. Gilmore's second goal brought AQ up 3-2 on Concordia. Aquinas was feeling hot and just about 70 seconds later Nicola Vogel found the back of the net, assisted by Rumpke and Christian Look, which brought the Saints to a 4-2 lead. AQ continued its spree with another goal, this time by Xavier Erickson with assists from Gilmore and Matt Denhartigh.The Saints went on to put up three goals in the second, while the Cardinals claimed one. Aquinas held its lead strong, 5-2.

Much of the third was a back and forth. Aquinas attempting to extend its lead, while Concordia tried to find a new footing to clamber back their deficit. The Cardinals added another score at 3:46 remaining, putting the game at 5-3. No team managed to score for the rest of regulation. The Saints took the game 5-3 and the series 2-0.

Aquinas is back in action on Friday (Nov. 17) . AQ will drop the puck at 7:30 p.m. with the visitors of Cleary.