Box Score Holland, Mich. — The Aquinas College men's hockey team returned to Griff's IceHouse West for their second game in their two-game series with Hope. The night previous the Saints managed a thrilling victory over the Dutch for their season opener. As the game came to its start the IceHouse once again roared to life, as AQ looked to complete the sweep, while the Dutch looked to split. The two teams stood at 4-3 entering the third, but the Dutch went on to take the game with three goals in the final period of play. With the finish of the contest both teams walk away with a 1-1 record to begin their respective seasons.

Hope 8, Aquinas 4

The Griff's IceHouse West roared back to life as the waves of maroon and orange returned to the stands for the second night in a row. AQ hopeful for a sweep while the Dutch looked to split the series. 

The tension was palpable as the emotions from game one returned.

The opening puck drop set the tone as both teams once again fought for control. Nearing ten minutes of play the Dutch were the first to break into the net with 11:34 remaining in the first.

AQ looked for an equalizer, but no team managed to add to the score board in the first. 

As the Zamboni took to the ice the score was 1-0, advantage Hope.

The second period turned into a old western as the shooting gallery commenced.

Alex Johnson found AQ's first goal with a pass from Justin Lagrow 17:24 remaining, equalizing the score. Hope went on to regain their advantage at 11:08 remaining via a powerplay.

Xavier Erickson took aim and rebutted with another assist for Lagrow with 10:13 on the clock. AQ pushed in and found another as Shane DiTullio clocked one in at 10:13 with help from Evan Doan, and Brody Traxler.

This was the Saints first lead of the night, it went on to be short lived as Hope quickly responded at 9:17 with another powerplay goal. Bringing the contest to 3-3.

Aquinas still had some powder left as the shooting continued, Nick Dashner tallied one with assistance from Gavin Rozema, and Zachary Burns with 5:39 to play. Just as AQ had powder left, so did the Dutch. Before the end of the second Hope would score two goals just 16 seconds a part at 3:18 from a powerplay, and 3:02 at full strength.

Coming off the ice after the second, Hope still held their advantage as the score read 5-4.

The Dutch opened the period with another powerplay goal, and went to find two more goals at full strength to extend their lead to 8-4. The Saints continued to fire in the third, but their powder barrels seemed to be extinguished as AQ was unable to find a goal in the final period.

With the final horn, the Dutch had succeeded in their efforts to split the season opener weekend with the Saints.

Here is what Head Coach Brandon Rozema had to say about the nights efforts, "We played two solid period of back and forth hockey. Three returning players out of the lineup due to injury hurts especially in an emotional gam and in the second game of the series. I am happy with our effort in five of the six period of play this weekend. Hope per usual is going to be a contender this year for a national championship in D3. I am excited for them to make the jump next year (to ACHA D1) and we already have it on the books to start our season against one another in 2025-2026. Lots of new faces got to see game action. I'm looking forward to getting the boys some much needed rest and focusing on our first D1 series against GVSU next weekend. This loss stings but come Monday our focus is on GVSU and putting our team in the best position to be successful. I'm super stoked for our guys to play in their first home game on Saturday (Oct. 5th)."

By the Numbers

• Both Johnson and Erickson return to the score sheet for the second night in a row with a goal
• Largrow tallied in with two assists, as S. DiTullio, Doan, Traxler, Dashner, G. Rozema, and Burns all notch a point on the evening

Up Next

AQ will face off with GVSU at Griff's Georgetown Ice Arena with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop on Friday (Oct. 4).