From Aquinas Athletics
By Tommy Gehl
Howell, Mich. — The Aquinas men’s hockey team continued their conference series play with the Cleary Cougars this Saturday (Nov. 18). The Saints conceded a goal early, but took control and started buzzin’. The boys tallied two goals in the third period, solidifying their win 7-3 and the series 2-0.
In the first period; Cleary found the back of the net just like a drop of the puck, the Cougars managed to score a power play just 18 seconds into the game. The Saints were penalized at the beginning of the game for a “delay of game”, instantly having AQ play a man down. Aquinas answered with an equalizer at 5:38. Matt Denhartigh slapped one in with assists from Austin Gilmore and Shane DiTullio. The Saints came to answer again at 4:21 this time from Brandon Rozema, assisted by Dylan Rumpke, and Christian Look. Both Aquinas goals were power plays. As the ice flakes settled Aquinas held the advantage, 2-1.
Starting off the second period, the Saints pounced first and found the back of the net at just under five minutes into the period. This time Rumpke would score, assisted by Look. The Cougars replied and answered the Saints at 12:23, placing the game at 3-2. But Aquinas was not yet finished in this period as Alex Johnson responded with a goal at 11:52, assisted by Look. With just 41 seconds remaining in the period Ryan Kleber plastered in a shot, assisted by Logan Wesolek, and Xavier Erickson . As the horn sounded AQ had a lead of 5-2.
The Saints were floating like butterflies while stinging like bees as they punched in two more power play goals in the final period, one by Johnson and Look. And the other by Rozema, Look, and Rumpke. The Cougars jammed in one more goal with 2:23 remaining in regulation. The final horn solidified the Saints win as AQ pushes their streak to four.
Aquinas had a total of 40 shots, while Cleary had 34. Look was an offensive threat tonight as he claimed five assists out of AQ’s seven goals.
(Originally published at https://aqsaints.com/news/2023/11/19/aq-mens-ice-hockey-continues-streak-with-sweep-of-cleary.aspx)
