Dearborn, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team traveled to Dearborn, Mich, on Saturday (Jan. 6) to complete their two games series with the #19 UM-Dearborn Wolverines. The Saints swept the rug underneath the Wolverines the night previous (Jan. 5), and took the ice looking to make it a clean sweep. After regulation and overtime had expired the game stood at 2-2, bringing on a shootout. AQ secured the win with the final shot of the shoot out, winning 2-2, (1-0).

Aquinas improves to 13-12, with a 10-6-0 conference record. While UMD falls to 14-5, with an 11-5 conference record.

Aquinas 2 (1), UM-Dearborn 2 (0)

The first period started quickly as both teams began to test one another. Both teams managed to find a chance at net but neither team could ring in a goal. After 20 minutes the horn blared signaling the end of the period. The teams stood even at 0-0.

The second period mimicked the first. Both teams making runs but neither finding the final piece of the puzzle to squeeze in a score. Just over 15 minutes into the period UMD finally cracked the code and struck one in, lifting them 1-0 over the Saints.

AQ found themselves down and they would for the remainder of the period as they were unable to find the back of the net. The second period finished with the Wolverines above the Saints.

But that advantage didn't stay long in the third period as Ryan Kleber made way with an unassisted goal just over a minute into play. 

The leveling score by Kleber left a bad taste in the mouth of the Wolverines as they went on to net another goal just over five minutes later. 

The Saints had 14 minutes remaining in regulation to even the score. But the boys proved they didn't need that much time. As Austin Gilmore found the second equalizer from Mitchell Hoon and Shane DiTullio on a power play.

The remaining 11 minutes played out in regulation, no team managed another score. This resulted in an overtime in which neither team managed to best the other. After a tie in regulation and overtime, this sent the Saints to their first shootout of the season.

Even during the shootout neither team managed to break the keeper. That is until Gavin Rozema took the final charge for the Saints, with a touch of finesse G. Rozema slung one by the keeper and tallied a score.

Aquinas claims victory as they best the #19 Wolverines two nights in a row.

By the Numbers
This was Michael Allman's first game back on the ice after suffering an injury. Allman went on to record a excellent re-debut performance against the #19 Wolverines. As he faced 41 shots in total on the evening and only allowed two, leaving him a 95.12% save record on the evening.

Up Next
AQ will return to play Friday (Jan. 12) to take on #16 Indiana Tech. The two will drop the puck at SportONE Parkview Icehouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a 7:30 p.m. gametime.