Byron Center, Mich. — The Aquinas College men's hockey team finished off their action-packed weekend with hosting the second game of their series with Concordia at Southside Ice Arena. The Cardinals struck twice in the first, but did not find their perch to strike again as the Saints went on to paint the town. AQ took the victory by a score of 7-2.
Aquinas 7, Concordia 2
The Cardinals repeated history as the first period mirrored the night pervious. CUAA was once again the first to pierce the veil. Aquinas responded just under a minute later as
Ben Cesario tapped in a goal with passes from
Arseniy Malyutin and
Gavin Rozema.
Close to five minutes later, Concordia pecked in its second goal, regaining the advantage and carried it into the end of the first. AQ trailed CUAA 2-1 as the teams left the ice.
Aquinas must have felt the holiday spirit as the team turned the ice into Saintsgiving as they went on to collect six straight and unanswered goals in the next two periods of play.
Gavin Phillips sent the Saints even with help from
Evan Doan, and Cooper Neinhuis. Nienhuis gave the team the advantage with contribution from
Matt Denhartigh. As the second period elapsed AQ had stepped up to a 3-2 advantage.
Rozema kicked off the scoring drive in the third with passes from
Brendan Bourne, and
Alex Johnson.
Nicholas Refine jumped in on the action with a goal with a combination pass from
Zachary Burns, and
Shane DiTullio. Bourne returned to the stat sheet with a goal, as he sent one in with help from Johnson and
Easton Pratt. To conclude the holiday spirit,
Chase DiTullio put the cherry on top with a dessert flourish goal with a pass from
Xavier Erickson.
With the team feeling the holiday cheer, the Saints finished their Saintsgiving with a 7-2 win over Concordia. Giving AQ their second sweep of the season.
By the Numbers
- Refine joins the first timer club as he netted both his first goal and first point overall
- Keeper Simon Johnson also joins the club as he earned his first collegiate win in net saving 29 of 31 for a .935 save rating
- AQ earn 15 total goals in their series against Concordia
Up Next
The team will have a small break for the holiday and will return to action on Friday (Dec. 6) as they set their eyes on the the first game of the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament.
