University Center, Mich. – The thing about home-and-home series is that the second game is always the harder one to win. The team that drops game one returns with something to prove, add in home ice, and the margin for error becomes razor thin. After grinding out a hard-fought win at Southside Ice Arena on Friday — with bodies banged up and the bench stretched thin — the AQ Men's DI Hockey team faced an uphill battle Saturday night in University Center. In a game that can only be described as chaotic, high-paced, and exhausting, Saginaw Valley State edged Aquinas 7–6 to split the series.
SVSU 7, Aquinas 6
The opening period was a roller coaster from the opening puck drop, with the two teams combining for 10 goals in the first 20 minutes. Aquinas struck first when Justin Lagrow scored an unassisted goal late in the period, followed shortly by Xavier Erickson, who finished a play set up by Ben Cesario and Easton Pratt to give the Saints an early 2–0 lead.
SVSU responded with a flurry of goals to seize momentum, briefly flipping the score before Aquinas answered again. Oliver Plato found the back of the net on an even-strength tally assisted by Tyler Hilliker, and moments later Zachary Burns buried an unassisted goal to pull the Saints within striking distance. Despite the back-and-forth, SVSU carried a narrow 6–4 lead into the first intermission.
The Saints refused to go away in the second period, tightening up defensively and cutting the deficit to one when Aiden Middendorf converted a power-play goal, assisted by Burns, making it a 6–5 game. That goal shifted the momentum and gave Aquinas new life heading into the final frame.
Early in the third, SVSU extended its lead to 7–5, but once again Aquinas responded. Ben Cesario netted a power-play goal at the 3:27 mark, with assists from Burns and Gavin Rozema, pulling the Saints back within one with plenty of hockey remaining.
From there, Aquinas pushed relentlessly, generating chances and applying sustained offensive-zone pressure. Despite several late opportunities, the Saints were unable to find the equalizer, as SVSU held on to escape with the one-goal victory. Jean Berthaudin finished the night with 40 saves, battling through traffic and extended pressure in a game that tested every layer of the roster.
Six different Saints found the score sheet — LaGrow, Erickson, Plato, Burns, Middendorf, and Cesario — while Burns led all players with three points, continuing his strong weekend. Though the result didn't fall AQ's way, the Saints once again showed resilience, depth, and a refusal to quit, even in the most demanding of circumstances.
Inside the Numbers
• 10 goals were scored in the opening period
• Six different Saints recorded goals
• Zachary Burns finished with three points
• Aquinas went 2-for-3 on the power play
• Jean Berthaudin made 40 saves in net
Coach's Comments
Following the weekend, Head Coach Brandon Rozema reflected on what he continues to like about this group:
"There's a lot to like about this team. We compete, we respond, and we don't back down, no matter the situation. We're learning how to win and how to battle through adversity, and nights like this — even in a loss — continue to shape who we're becoming."
Up Next
Aquinas will begin another home-and-home series next weekend, as the Saints travel Friday to challenge Hope for the second time this season. The series then concludes Saturday night at home, with a 7:30 p.m. opening face-off at Southside Ice Arena. Saturday's game will be streamed live, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
For information, stats, and a full recap of the action, visit AQSaints.com.
