Byron Center, MI - The men's hockey team was on the ice today in a rare weekday game hosting the Cleary Cougars in postponed match from earlier this season. The Saints bested their conference opponent by a score of 5-2 behind a hat trick from Brandon Rozema. The Saints improve to 14-18 this season.
 
In the first period of play, the two teams were skating four on four when the Cougars picked up a penalty for an AQ power play. Graduate student, Brandon Rozema took advantage of the situation, netting a goal at 11:08. He was assisted by Christian Look and Alex Johnson. Before the end of the period, Rozema would sneak in another goal with four seconds left. He was again assisted by Johnson and Mitchell Hoon chipped in on this score.
 
Then from the gun of the second period, the Cougars would control much of the pacing despite both teams having 16 shots. The Cougars would score twice in the period and only two minutes apart. The first game at 11:58 and the second came from a breakaway goal at 9:58. The two teams would leave the period tied 2-2.
 
The Saints were hungry for a win though as Brandon Rozema would score his third goal for a hat trick while the Saints were shorthanded. He was again assisted by Hoon as well as Mason Stewart at 14:00. Not even two minutes later at 12:13 Xavier Erickson would score his fourth goal of the year when he was assisted by Matt Denhartigh. In a last-ditch effort, the Cougars would pull their goalie. After a shot on goal, Randon Striplin would forward the puck to Dylan Rumpke for the score with under a minute of play putting AQ up 5-2 as time expired.
 
Randon Striplin anchored the Saints in net today, facing 41 shots and saving 39 of them. 

Aquinas will face off with Cleary once again this weekend. Their first matchup will take place on Friday at the Southside Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM.