A slow start in the first period did in the Aurora University hockey team in gameone of the final weekend series of the season at the University of Wisconsin - Stout, as AU lost 7-2 on Friday night.

AU fell behind 4-0 after one period of play and the deficit proved to be insurmountable as the Spartans would play a tight final two periods but woul go on to lose.

The Spartans allowed two goals in 14 seconds midway through the opening period and saw the home team add two more before the period would conclude. Stout added another goal midway through the second period for a 5-0 lead on AU.

AU would get on the board at 11:57 of the second period with Connor Quinn scoring with an assist from David Cross and Conor Jonasson. The 5-1 score would remain in place as the team went into the second intermission.

The third and final period saw AU out shoot Stout 12-7 but the home team got two more tallies with AU scoring once at 17:00 off the stick of Trevor Hoth. Quinn and Rihards Marenis assisted on the goal.

AU net minder Griffin Strain had 23 saves in the losing effort as AU is now 1-14-1 in NCAA contests and 7-15-1 overall. Next action for the Spartan hockey team comes on Saturday, January 24 when they conclude the 2014-2015 season against UW-Stout. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. in Menomonie, Wisconsin.