Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team skated to a season-opening 7-3 win over the Roosevelt Lakers on Friday night (Sept. 22) inside the Southside Ice Arena. The non-conference ACHA clash featured end-to-end action with both squads eager to pick up their first victory this season.

The Saints (1-0) came out on top in the high-scoring affair with six different goal scorers contributing. Dylan Rumpke led the way with two, including the Saints' first goal of the season coming 8:56 into the first period. Rumpke paced AQ with 24 goals in 35 games played last season and got off to another fast start this season.

Aquinas scored two more times in the opening 20 minutes following a couple of power play strikes from Alex Johnson and Brandon Rozema. Rumpke and Rozema assisted Johnson's goal, while Johnson had the lone helper on Rozema's tally.

The Saints went into the first intermission with a  3-0 lead, despite being outshot 17-14. AQ goaltender Max Johnston bailed the Saints out numerous times, including a handful of odd-man rushes that turned into nothing for the Lakers. 

Johnston was finally beat for the first time 3:06 into the second period on a Roosevelt goal by Chase Caravella.

Eight minutes of intense action passed before what turned out to be the game-winning goal ended up on the stick of Aquinas newcomer Nicola Vogel. The true freshman buried his first collegiate goal to restore the Saints' three-goal advantage at 4-1. 

Roosevelt did respond with a goal from Danny Bdzoch less than three minutes later, but Mitchell Hoon was at the right place at the right time to finish off a juicy rebound into a wide-open net to give Aquinas a 5-2 lead going into the third period.

Rumpke added his second goal nearly seven minutes into the final frame with junior transfer Ryan Lehman and freshman Logan Wesolek each picking up assists for their first-ever points for the program. Cade Swygert capped Roosevelt's scoring halfway through the period before Ryan Kleber notched his first career goal for the Saints with eight minutes remaining. Gavin Phillips had the assist on Kleber's goal.

Xavier Erickson, Rozema and Roosevelt's Griffin Lehet each had two assists in the contest. Not previously mentioned, but AQ's Matt Denhartigh and Shane DiTullio were also credited with assists during the 7-3 Saints' win.

AQ outshot the Lakers, 43-38, with Johnston making 35 saves for the Saints.

Aquinas and Roosevelt will have a rematch tomorrow night (Sept. 23) with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop from the Southside Ice Arena.