Byron Center, Mich. – As the season moves into the back half of the campaign, steady improvement from series to series becomes vital for teams with postseason aspirations. Despite battling injuries and a shortened bench, the AQ Men's DI Hockey team continues to trend upward, learning how to compete for a full 60 minutes and, most importantly, how to finish games. Friday night, the Saints delivered arguably their most complete performance of the season, riding a ferocious effort to a 2–1 victory over the Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State — a win that also served as a fitting birthday gift for Head Coach Brandon Rozema.
Aquinas 2, SVSU 1
Aquinas wasted little time setting the tone, striking twice in the opening period to seize control of the contest. The Saints opened the scoring at the 16:54 mark when Xavier Erickson buried an even-strength goal, assisted by Aiden Middendorf and Brody Traxler. Just over seven minutes later, AQ doubled its lead as Gavin Rozema finished a strong offensive sequence, with helpers from Brendan Bourne and Zachary Burns.
The two-goal cushion allowed Aquinas to dictate the pace, as the Saints played with confidence and structure through the remainder of the first period. SVSU responded early in the second, cutting the deficit to one just 29 seconds in, but Aquinas remained composed and resilient.
From there, the game turned into a defensive battle, with the Saints committing to shot blocking, smart puck management, and disciplined positioning. Randon Striplin was outstanding between the pipes, turning aside 34 shots and making several key saves to preserve the lead. The Aquinas defense, led by Easton Pratt, Braylen Outwater, and Logan Boettcher, limited second-chance opportunities and cleared rebounds effectively.
Up front, the Saints continued to generate chances while maintaining responsible play away from the puck. Bourne, Rozema, Middendorf, Erickson, and Traxler all played pivotal roles in controlling possession and managing the final minutes. When the horn sounded, Aquinas had secured a hard-earned win built on effort, execution, and belief.
Inside the Numbers
• Aquinas scored both goals in the first period
• Xavier Erickson and Gavin Rozema each tallied a goal
• Randon Striplin made 34 saves in the win
• The Saints recorded four assists on two goals
• AQ held SVSU scoreless for the final 39:31 of play
Interesting note: this is the 2nd straight win by a score of 2-1 for the Saints
Coach's Comments
After the win, Head Coach Brandon Rozema reflected on his team's performance:
"I was really proud of how we played tonight. We competed for a full 60 minutes, stayed disciplined, and trusted each other in all three zones. This group continues to grow, and learning how to close out games like this is a big step forward."
Up Next
Aquinas will look to finish the home-and-home series on a high note when the Saints travel Saturday to University Center, Mich., for the rematch with the Cardinals. The second game of the two-game set is scheduled for a 9:00 p.m. opening face-off.
For information, stats, and a full recap of the action, visit AQSaints.com.
