Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas College men's hockey team returned to Southside Ice Arena on Friday (Oct. 18) to begin their two-game series against the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech. LTU lead off the evening with the opening goal, but AQ went on to manage a two goal lead beginning in the third. The Blue Devils found a second wind and pushed the game into overtime, where they stole the show with the golden goal to bring the contest to a close.

Lawrence Tech 4, Aquinas 3

The contest with a fervor at the puckdrop as both teams looked to match the other. 

LTU punched in the first goal of the evening with 13:10 remaining on the clock in the first period. AQ mustered a response with 5:33 remaining as Evan Doan finished a combination look from Matt Denhartigh and Zachary Burns. The teams continued to challenge one another, but not side managed an additional goal in the remaining time. The teams exited the ice with a 1-1 standing after the first period. 

As the second period began, both teams returned to their tactics. Here AQ collected the next tally of the match.

Just under five minutes into the period Arseniy Malyutin struck one in with help from Zachary Burns and Christian Look. This alteration of the scoreboard saw the Blue Devils hunker down for the remainder of the period. No team found another goal in the second. The Saints exited the ice with a 2-1 advantage.

In the third period of play AQ had found the first crack as Cooper Neinhuis increased the Saints advantage with help from Doan and Denhartigh. AQ now led 3-1 with just over nine minutes remaining. 

Lawrence Tech were down but not out, as they went on to collect goals at 4:59 remaining and 3:32 remaining. Bringing the score to 3-3.The time fizzled out in regulation and the contest was headed to overtime. 

The extra period of play began with a Saints offensive drive, but the movement was met with a Blue Devils counter attack. Here, LTU found a golden goal just 53 seconds into overtime. The game concluded LTU 4 and AQ 3.

By the Numbers

• Freshman goalie Simon Johnson went 45/49 giving him a .918 save rating on the evening
• Overall LTU out shot AQ 45-23

Up Next

AQ will complete their second game with LTU on Saturday (Oct. 19) at the Redford Ice Arena with an 8:00 p.m. puck drop.