Box Score Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas men's hockey team took the ice at Southside Ice Arena for their last home game of the regular season on Saturday (Feb. 10) against the Cougars of Cleary. Before game start there was a ceremony to honor the seniors of the 2023-2024 academic year. After the ceremony the game commenced and kicked in gear. After the final horn sounded the Saints had flipped the script from the night before and walked away with a decisive 7-3 finish.

Aquinas 7, Cleary 3

The first period was on with a flash as both sides contended for possession. After five minutes of back-and-fourth, senior Mitchell Hoon laid down the first goal of the night, with an assist from Logan Wesolek. The boys didn't stop there as senior Brandon Rozema got involved close to six minutes later, with assists from Christian look and Dylan Rumpke. The battle continued for the remainder of the first but no team managed to poke in a goal. At the horn AQ had a 2-0 advantage.

The second period saw the Cougars find their stride on a power play to get them their first tally. The score came just under three minutes into the second period. Less than two minutes later senior Kirwin Johnson found a rebuttal with Hoon double dipping on the assist. But less than 30 seconds later the Cougars clawed back and tagged on another goal. Bringing the game to a 3-2 difference with the Saints ahead. 

With 9:20 remaining in the second, Gavin Rozema managed a score with a combination pass from Rumpke and Nick Dashner. The boys were feeling hot as just over a minute later the Saints would tack on another, this time it was Alex Johnson with help from Austin Gilmore and Look.

The remainder of the second period did not see an additional goal for either side.

Once again the Cougars would pounce early into the period and struck again, but nothing else came of note for Cleary. After 10 minutes of play B. Rozema stepped back into the spotlight with another goal, this time assisted by Look and Rumpke. 

In a last stitch effort CU pulled their keeper with 1:53 remaining. Knowing that the Saints turned an opposite side face off into a long distance walk off goal. This time it was Look with the finish, with help from Hoon.

The last two minutes of the final period saw no final goals. As the horn came to howl, the Saints had collected themselves a strong finish to end their regular season. 

AQ tops the Cougars of Cleary, 7-3.

By the Numbers

Look had his eyes on the prize and had four points. Hoon clocked in with a three point finish. Rumpke tallied three. B. Rozema stamped in with two points. While K. Johnson, G. Rozema, Dashner, A. Johnson, and Gilmore all collected one.

Senior goalie Michael Allman faced 34 total shots and allowed three, giving him a save rating of .9117.

The shots were close across the board as AQ had 40, while CU had 34.

Up Next

The boys will be back in action with the WHAC tournament. The tournament quarterfinals commence on Friday (Feb. 16). The Saints will enter the tourney as the #4 seed. Their opponent is currently not yet determined, so stay tuned for those details.