By Grace Malec, Sports Editor
#91 Logan Boettcher Skates During Warmups With Red Glasses – Photo by Grace Malec
On Friday, Jan. 23, the Aquinas Division One hockey team hosted their first Red Glasses Movement game as they played the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals at Southside Ice Arena.
The Red Glasses Movement is a local organization in West Michigan aimed to spread the message of “live boldly, love big, pass it along” in honor of Kelly Jandernoa’s daughter, Audrey Louise who was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect and who later passed away in 2018 at age five. The founders of the Red Glasses Movement hope the Red Glasses are a reminder for everyone to reach out to a stranger and make someone’s day a little brighter. Or inspire someone to go for it and overcome challenges.
“The Red Glasses game was a great event for our team to take part in,” Head Coach Brandon Rozema said. “Kelly was able to come to Aquinas and introduce the Red Glasses Movement to our team and do a workshop. It was so amazing to see our players talk about things other than hockey, and continue to work on living boldly and loving big. It was also so good to get the win on Friday.”
All members of the team sported red glasses inspired by Jandernoa’s daughter as they arrived at Southside Ice Arena and while warming up on the ice. Fans also participated in the movement, with Red Glasses being given to all the fans attending.
“It was such an honor and amazing experience bringing the Red Glasses Movement to Aquinas,” Saints forward Braylen Outwater said. “I’m so proud of the guys for how they represented the Aquinas hockey program by living the values of loving big and living boldly just like Audrey Louise did.”
Members of the team represent Red Glasses Movement on and off the ice – Photo by Grace Malec
The Saints fought until the end and finished the game with a two to one win against the Saginaw Valley Cardinals. Xavier Erickson and Gavin Rozema both found the back of the net for the Saints with a little help from Aiden Middendorf, Brody Traxler, Brendan Bourne and Zachary Burns who all added an assist to the scoresheet.
Friday’s game marked goaltender Randon Striplin’s first game back from injury, making 34 saves in his comeback.
“The red glasses movement game was a very special game to play in,” Striplin said. “Hearing Audrey’s story and the impact the movement has had on the world was very impactful for myself and my teammates. It really gave us a new perspective and encouraged us to live boldly and love big.”
The Saints will be back in action on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31 as they take on the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College on the road and at home. The Saints host the Dutchmen on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Southside Ice Arena.
Saints Forward #44 Xavier Erickson wears Red Glasses – Photo by Grace Malec
The Saint 