By the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - (Box Score | Bracket) - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) experienced history today when UM-Dearborn defeated Aquinas 3-1 to win the first-ever WHAC Men's Ice Hockey Tournament championship. Indiana Tech served as host with the games being played at SportONE/ Parkview Ice House. As the first conference in the NAIA to sponsor the sport, the WHAC is opening the path for sport's resurgence.

In this first year, a regular-season championship was not awarded. Teams played a shortened schedule against each other and game records were used for the tournament seeding. Conference honors were also not awarded - only an AllTournament Team.

After a scoreless first-period, Aquinas struck first at the 10:15 mark when Calvin Wojtaszak found the back of the net with an assist from Jason Wrbelis. Tyler Groat tied things up for the Wolverines with just over four minutes to go in the second with a short-handed goal.

UM-Dearborn took a 2-1 lead in the opening minute of the third stanza on a John Ames goal (Troy Saunders, Andrew Palushaj) and added an insurance goal at the six-minute mark by Silas Johnson from Christian Ramage and Billy Brock for a 3-1 lead.

Thomas Proudlock picked up the win in goal to improve to 17-3-0. Proudlock, Groat, and Jared Dedenbach were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Saints outshot the Wolverines 28-24 on the day, and goaltender Nick Ottenbacher (16-4-2) made 21 saves in the loss. Forward Kyle Truax and defender Steven Gustafson also earned All-Tournament honors. Ryan Jaros of Rochester finished out the team.

Shots on goal - AQ 4-15-9 28; UMD 5-10-9 24

Power plays - AQ 0 of 4; UMD 0 of 5

Penalties - AQ 11 (38 min); UMD 8 (16 min)

Goalies - AQ, Nick Ottenbacher (58:06 minutes, 24 shots-21 saves) , EMPTY NET (01:54, 0-0); UMD, Thomas Proudlock (60:00, 28-27).

All-Tournament Team

Tyler Groat, UM-Dearborn, F

Kyle Truax, Aquinas, F

Ryan Jaros, Rochester, F

Steven Gustafson, Aquinas, D

Jared Dedenbach, UM-Dearborn, D

Thomas Proudlock, UM-Dearborn, G