Box Score Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team hosted the Blue Streaks of John Carroll for two nights in a row. The first night (Jan. 19) saw the contest end at a 4-4 draw, leading to a Saints 1-0 victory in a shootout. The second night (Jan. 20) saw a repeat of circumstances. The two teams once again ended regulation 4-4, and after a scoreless overtime headed to a shootout. AQ managed to break into the net and steal the win with a 1-0 shootout final.
This win pushes the Saints to a season standing of 15-13 (10-7) as John Carroll falls to 14-8-2.
Aquinas 4 (1), John Carroll 4 (0)
The first period saw the Saints shoot off like a rocket. It seemed that Aquinas had the script from last night and decided to flip it. AQ were hounds at John Carroll's net. The Saints struck first at 15:26,
Nicola Vogel struck through a combination pass from the likes of
Matt Denhartigh and
Austin Gilmore.
Vogel must have been feeling good as he decided to go back for more as he beat the keeper again, less than 40 seconds later. This time Vogel was assisted by
Shane DiTullio.
The Saints were gliding on the ice as if it was made for them.
Ryan Kleber found his mark just 30 seconds later and tallied another score for AQ. Kleber's goal came with an assist from
Dylan Rumpke.
Aquinas had put up three goals just over four minutes. The Blue Streaks looked for an answer and found two before the end of the period.
Aquinas totaled 23 shots, while the Blue Streaks had 12. Heading into intermission the score was 3-2 in favor of the Saints.
The second period saw John Carroll tighten their bootstraps and attempt to get themselves back into the game. The Blue Streaks began to push back into the Saints as they had progressive offensive attacks. But AQ made way on a broken John Carroll play and
Austin Gilmore claimed another score for the boys in maroon. Bringing the difference to 4-2.
The Blue Streaks found their way to the gas pedal as they managed a response to Gilmore's goal just two minutes later.
The remainder of the period went scoreless.
The Saints had 11 shots, while John Carroll had 12. The score read 4-3 as both teams made way for their respective locker rooms.
The third period was even closer than the second. This time it was John Carroll who was looking for the fourth goal equalizer to send the game into overtime.
With 8:42 remaining the Blue Streaks did just that, leveling the game to 4-4. Aquinas fought back in hopes of taking the game in regulation with a last minute goal, but it never came.
Both John Carroll and Aquinas totaled nine shots in the period.
At the final horn the game stood at 4-4. For the second night in a row, the contest headed to overtime.
This time the Saints were the ones pelting the opposition's goal. But once again no team managed to find the final puzzle piece to secure the sudden death overtime win.
No goals in overtime lead the contest to a shootout. The night previous Aquinas won the shootout in the second round. Tonight saw a total of four rounds of shooting. This time
Alex Johnson was the Saint to secure the win.
By the Numbers
Michael Allman returned to the ice for his second game post injury and brought the Saints through another shootout. Allman faced a total of 34 shots in full play and 4 in the shootout.
Vogel tapped in with two goals, and Gilmore walks away with a goal and assist giving him two points.
Up Next
Aquinas returns to play on Friday (Jan. 26) for a 7:40 p.m. start with Lawrence Tech. AQ will look to keep their new win streak alive against the 14-10 (13-7) Blue Devils.
