Box Score Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas College men's hockey team took the ice for their first contest of the 2024-2025 season on Friday (Sep. 27) at Griff's IceHouse West to take on Hope. The Saints jumped ahead as they sunk two goals in the first period. Hope would manage to equalize, but AQ found one more goal to keep them afloat. The Aquinas defense went on and secured the win as time expired.

Aquinas 3, Hope 2

The atmosphere of the Griff's IceHouse West was buzzing as both teams started their season with this contest. The audience was a clashing of two seas, one maroon and white while the other was orange and blue. The Saints knew the task ahead was tall, but they were up for the reach.

Both teams battled back and forth, each making runs but neither managing to break into the back of the net. 

Aquinas went on to change that as Brendan Bourne collected a pass from Brody Traxler and sent it home with 5:16 remaining in the first.

AQ returned for another goal less than two minutes later, as this time Xavier Erickson struck true on a touch from Arseniy Malyutin with 3:48 remaining.

The Saints came off the ice feeling good about their lead, but knew that the contest was far from over.

The second period saw the game bleed more orange as the Dutch found a better footing on their home ice. Hope went on to equalize with two goals, 13:32 and 3:42.

But AQ did not go out of this period quiet as they went on to once again step above the Dutch as the found a goal from Justin Lagrow, assisted by Nick Dashner, and Erickson at 2:15 remaining in the second period.

Both teams exited the ice with a feel of the heighten atmosphere as each team wanted to start the season off with a win. 

The third and final period of the game saw the contest intensify even further as the Saints tried to hold on and even extend their lead, while the Dutch attempted to march back an equalizer.

Both teams flew up and down the ice with numerous attempts to break the silence, but no team managed to. As the third period wound down to it's final minute both teams resorted to their timeouts in an effort to out do the other.

In a last stitch effort Hope pulled their goalie with 1:24 remaining. Due to the strong Aquinas defense and the boulder that is goalie Randon Striplin, the Dutch were thwarted at every attempt.

With the final horn AQ had done it and took their season opener on the Dutch's ice.

Here is what Head Coach Brandon Rozema had to say about tonight's play, "I'm proud of our guys. Top to bottom, even guys that weren't able to suit up tonight contributed. Complete team win. Striplin was our backbone, he made save after save. Hope is a good team, well coached, their guys battled. Hope is ACHA D1 caliber. It was a fun hockey game to be a part of. I also want to thank the Saints fans that made their way to Holland to support us. A lot of collegiate burgundy in the stands tonight!"

By the Numbers

• Both Bourne and Lagrow earned their first collegiate goal
• As Traxler and Malyutin earn their first collegiate point
• Coach Rozema also earned his first collegiate victory
• Keeper Striplin kept the goal air tight as he had an impeccable game in addition to making several saves in the final moments of the contest

Up Next

The boys will return to Hope on Saturday (Sep. 28) for their second meeting with the Dutch to complete their two-game series, with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.