By Grace Malec, Asst. Editor-in-Chief
Aquinas DI Hockey line-up pre-game at Southside Ice Arena – Photo by Aquinas Hockey
After starting off their season with a struggle against the Hope College Flying Dutchmen, falling 2-5 and 1-7, week two of the season marked a redemption for the Saints.
The team started the weekend away in Rochester, Mich. Hitting the ice at Suburban Ice Rochester on Friday for a matchup against the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. The Saints came out ready, with Zach Burns scoring their first goal only two minutes and 44 seconds into the first period. This would only open the flood gates.
By the end of the first period, Aquinas had found the back of the net five times, with goals by Burns, Ben Cesario, Gavin Rozema, Evan Doan and Brendan Bourne.
Building on the momentum made in the first, coming back from intermission, Burns would again start the scoring for the second period for the Saints.
Following a relatively uneventful second period, the third period would mark two hat tricks for Aquinas skaters and a shutout for Aquinas goalie, Simon Johnson. Freshman Parker Burns found the back of the net for the Saints three times in the third period, earning his first collegiate hat trick in just his third collegiate game played.
Junior Evan Doan also earned himself a hat trick after scoring three goals for the Saints. Between the pipes, junior Simon Johnson blocked every scoring chance he faced from Oakland and earned himself his first collegiate shutout. The Saints took the win in a dominant fashion, winning 13-0.
The Team celebrates a goal – Photo by Aquinas Hockey
After a big win on the road, the team returned to Southside Ice Arena hoping to keep their momentum rolling on home ice.
Junior Braylen Outwater scored the first goal for the Saints, followed by goals by sophomore Austin Waalkes who scored his first collegiate goal and Parker Burns in the first period.
The second period was a big showing for AQ. Again, two Saints found themselves on the scoresheet three times earning hat tricks. Parker Burns earned himself his second collegiate hat trick in only his fourth game played for the Saints. Outwater earned himself his first collegiate hat trick.
“It was a great weekend seeing the guys come together and having fun out there with two big wins, now we are onto the next,” Outwater said.
Freshman Owen Gohm finished out the night for the Saints by scoring his first collegiate goal. And for the second night in a row, the Saints allowed no goals with senior Liam Donnelly shutting out Oakland. Aquinas finished on home ice with a final score of 11-0.
“Going 2-0 against Oakland was a great weekend for our team,” Parker Burns said. Everyone contributed, competed hard and we showed what we’re capable of when we play together. Potting the two hatricks is bonus to a group effort”
The Saints return to the ice on Friday, Oct. 9 at Southside Ice Arena as they play Saginaw Valley State University with a 8 p.m. puck drop.
Gavin Rozema and Parker Burns in the Lineup – Photo by Aquinas Hockey
