Grand Rapids, Mich. – Conference hockey returned with no shortage of intensity, physical play, and momentum swings as Aquinas and Indiana Tech opened a home-and-home WHAC series over the weekend. The Saints welcomed the Warriors to Southside Ice Arena on Friday night before heading to Fort Wayne for Saturday's rematch, knowing points in the standings would be hard-earned. Despite spirited efforts, timely goals, and flashes of resilience on both nights, Aquinas came up short in each contest against a battle-tested conference foe.

Indiana Tech 5, Aquinas 3

(Friday, January 2 – Byron Center, Mich.)

Aquinas struck early and often in an energetic opening period, responding quickly after Indiana Tech opened the scoring. Gavin Rozema evened the contest on the power play at 6:19 of the first period, finishing a feed from Zachary Burns and Logan Boettcher to knot the game at 1–1. The Saints carried momentum into the intermission, matching Indiana Tech stride for stride in the opening frame.

The Warriors gained control in the second period, capitalizing on extended zone time and scoring three unanswered goals to take a 4–1 lead. Aquinas continued to battle, generating chances from Cooper Nienhuis, Brendan Bourne, and Xavier Erickson, but Indiana Tech made its push count.

The Saints showed resilience in the third period, cutting into the deficit with two goals. Nick Dashner pulled Aquinas within two on a power-play tally at 16:28, finishing a setup from Alex Johnson and Erickson. Just over three minutes later, Erickson made it a one-goal game, burying an even-strength chance off assists from Dashner and Nienhuis.

Aquinas pressed late, but Indiana Tech added an empty-net goal in the final seconds to seal the 5–3 result. Jean Berthaudin made 42 saves in net, keeping the Saints within striking distance throughout the night.

Indiana Tech 8, Aquinas 2

(Saturday, January 3 – Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Saturday's rematch saw Aquinas respond well early, weathering an initial push from Indiana Tech before finding the equalizer midway through the second period. Cooper Nienhuis tied the game at 1–1 at the 3:13 mark of the second, finishing an even-strength play set up by Logan Boettcher.

Indiana Tech answered quickly, however, using a flurry of goals in the middle frame to open the game up. Despite the scoreline, the Saints continued to compete, with strong shifts from Braylen Outwater, Evan Doan, Easton Pratt, Justin Lagrow, and Oliver Plato.

Late in the second period, Logan Boettcher provided a spark with a shorthanded goal at 17:12, cutting the deficit and showing the Saints' continued fight. Boettcher finished the night with a goal and an assist, while Nienhuis also recorded his first goal of the season.

Berthaudin once again anchored the crease, facing 44 shots and making several point-blank saves to keep Aquinas battling until the final horn.

Inside the Numbers (Combined Two Games)

     • Aquinas scored five total goals against a WHAC opponent ranked near the top of the conference standings
     • Cooper Nienhuis and Logan Boettcher each recorded goals over the weekend
     • Xavier Erickson finished Friday with a goal and an assist
     • Jean Berthaudin made 86 saves across the two games
     • Aquinas generated multiple special teams goals, including power-play and shorthanded tallies

Coach's Comments

After the weekend, Head Coach Brandon Rozema reflected on the series and the lessons to be taken moving forward.

"There were stretches where we played the way we're capable of, but consistency has to be there for a full sixty minutes, especially in conference play," said Rozema. "We have to clean up details in our own zone, be more disciplined, and do a better job turning effort into sustained pressure. The work continues, and this group understands what it's going to take to keep improving."

Up Next

The Saints will return to action on Friday, January 9, as they open another WHAC home-and-home series against UM-Dearborn. Aquinas will travel to Dearborn for a 7:00 p.m. face-off on Friday night before the series shifts back to Byron Center on Saturday, January 10, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Southside Ice Arena.

Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for streaming information, live stats, and complete post-game coverage.