Byron Center, Mich. The Saints brought the offense Friday. Getting the Warriors to Southside on Saturday proved to be another matter. The Aquinas College men's Division I hockey team opened its series with Rochester Christian with a convincing 7-1 road victory, spreading the scoring throughout the lineup and delivering another encouraging glimpse of a team coming together. A transportation issue for the Warriors forced Saturday's home finale to be rescheduled, leaving the Maroon and White to carry Friday's momentum into a rare Wednesday matinee.
Aquinas 7, Rochester Christian 1 (Friday in Mount Clemens, Mich.)
Aquinas took control with two first-period goals, broke the game open with four more in the second and finished with contributions from 11 players on the scoresheet. Braylen Outwater started the scoring off an assist from Justin LaGrow, giving the Saints the early advantage. Just 1:09 later, Parker Burns doubled the lead, finishing a play assisted by Jarrett LaGrow. Those two strikes sent AQ into the first intermission ahead 2-0, with Jean Berthaudin keeping Rochester Christian off the board at the other end.
The Saints wasted little time adding to that cushion in the second period. Arseniy Malyutin scored just 1:01 into the frame, with Austin Plumert and Evan Doan supplying the assists. Jarrett LaGrow then added a goal of his own, converting off assists from Tyler Hilliker and Alexander Yeung to make it 4-0. Parker Burns followed with his second goal of the night, this time assisted by Gavin Rozema and Austin Waalkes. Zachary Burns completed the four-goal period with 12 seconds remaining, finishing a play set up by Hilliker and Doan. By the second intermission, the Saints held a 6-0 advantage, with five different players accounting for the six goals.
Gavin Rozema extended the lead to 7-0 in the third period, with Parker Burns and Zachary Burns earning the assists. Rochester Christian spoiled the shutout with 3:25 remaining, but Berthaudin and the Saints had already put the game firmly in AQ's hands. Berthaudin finished with 22 saves over 60 minutes, allowing just one goal on 23 shots. In front of him, Aquinas paired its offensive production with a defensive effort that kept the Warriors scoreless through the opening two periods. AQ also held Rochester Christian without a power-play goal, ensuring the Warriors could not use special teams to cut into the lead.
The Saints generated 61 shots, forcing Rochester Christian's goaltender to make 54 saves despite the seven-goal output. Parker Burns led AQ with three points, while Jarrett LaGrow, Zachary Burns and Gavin Rozema each contributed a goal and an assist. Hilliker and Doan added two assists apiece, giving the Saints production from both their finishers and the players creating opportunities. All seven Aquinas goals came at even strength, highlighting an attack that found success throughout the lineup.
Aquinas improved to 3-3-0-1 overall, while Rochester Christian moved to 3-8-0-1 overall.
Saints Snapshots
- Depth becomes a difference: Six Saints scored and 11 recorded points Friday. AQ's ability to find offense throughout the lineup gave the Warriors more than one scoring threat to solve.
- Separation in the second: Aquinas turned a two-goal advantage into a six-goal cushion with four second-period finishes. The Saints built on their strong start and left little room for a Rochester Christian response.
- Burns drives the attack: Parker Burns scored in each of the opening two periods before assisting on AQ's final goal. His three-point performance helped establish the lead and extend it.
- Creating from the back: Defenseman Tyler Hilliker contributed two assists, matching Evan Doan's total. Both helped turn the Saints' possessions into finishes during the decisive second period.
- A foundation in net: Jean Berthaudin stopped 22 of 23 shots and kept Rochester Christian scoreless until the closing minutes. AQ's defensive work and penalty killing gave its growing lead a firm foundation.
Coach's Comments
Head coach Brandon Rozema is seeing the Saints' growth become more evident with each game. Younger players are finding their place in the system, while returners are raising their level and helping AQ turn that development into increasingly competitive, entertaining hockey.
"Friday was an encouraging example of what happens when we play connected and trust what we're building," Rozema said. "Our younger players are getting more comfortable in the system, and our returners are continuing to raise their standard. We had contributions throughout the lineup, Jean gave us a strong performance in net, and we kept building on our lead. That's exciting to see, but this is just the beginning. We have more growth ahead of us, and the challenge is to bring that same commitment every time we take the ice."
Up Next
Aquinas will have a rare midweek matinee when Rochester Christian visits Southside Ice Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at noon. Originally scheduled as the second game of Saturday's AQ hockey doubleheader, the contest was rescheduled because of a transportation issue for the Warriors.
Wednesday's game will be streamed on the AQSaints YouTube Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
Visit AQSaints.com for complete coverage of Aquinas men's hockey and all other Saints sports.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
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