Box Score Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas College men's hockey team held game one of their two-game series against Cleary on Friday (Nov. 1). The Saints opened the night with the first goal, but were unable to stop the Cougar momentum from mounting. In the final minute of the contest AQ lessened the game to a one goal difference, but could not find a late goal to push the game into overtime.
Cleary 5, Aquinas 4
AQ glided on the ice in the opening five minutes as they rung in the first goal with 16:17 on the clock.
Brendan Bourne jump started the scoring for the Saints with assists from
Arseniy Malyutin, and
Gavin Rozema.
The Cougars promptly turned around and returned a rebuttal with 13:49 on the clock.
Both teams traded one more goal, equaling the score to 2-2.
Xavier Erickson found the second goal for AQ with touches from
Matt Denhartigh and
Chase DiTullio.
Before the end of the period, the Cougars clawed one more goal to establish their first lead of the game. As both teams exited the ice, Cleary held the advantage 3-2.
The second period of play saw the Saints lay on the shots with a number of opportunities for power plays, but were just unable to drive their chances in.
The Cougars added one more to their advantage just before the final minute of the second period, bringing them up 4-2.
AQ returned to the scoreboard with the opening goal of the third period with 7:04 remaining. Reducing the CU advantage to a single goal difference, 4-3.
Aquinas was renewed with hope, and continued their offensive drives. But their renewed hope was cut short as Cleary managed a rebound goal as keeper
Jean Berthaudin was off balance after making the initial save. This Cougar goal once again pushed the divide to two goals, the score now read 5-3.
With just 46 seconds remaining in regulation, CU received a penalty giving AQ a chance at a power play. The Saints went on to capitalize on the chance as
Alex Johnson punched in the goal with 20 seconds remaining with touches by G. Rozema, and Malyutin.
AQ went on to play the last 20 seconds of regulation with a different level of intensity as they tallied a number of last second shots. But CU managed to hold on and kept the Saints last second comeback at bay.
With the final horn, AQ was unable to find their overtime goal. The contest finished 5-4 to the Cougars.
By the Numbers
- Berthaudin had his collegiate debut as he went 32 of 37, giving him a .864 save rating on the evening
- AQ out shot CU 42-37
- Bourne returned to play post injury with a bang as he found the first goal of the evening
- Erickson netted two goals
- Malyutin and G. Rozema both collected two assists
Up Next
The team will travel to 140 Ice Den in Howell, Michigan, for game two of their series with Cleary.
