The Aurora University Spartan hockey team opened the 2016-2017 season Friday night at No. 1 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. The game saw a plethora of penalties and UWSP pulled away to defeat AU 8-1.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  #1 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point 8; Aurora University 1
LOCATION: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 ; University of Wisconsin -  Stevens Point 1-0
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UWSP scored 42 seconds into the game and then added a second goal for a 2-0 lead at 12:59.
In the second period, AU found themselves on a second consecutive power play and Nikita Smirnov lit the lamp. Jonathan Carlson picked up the assist on the play.
Later on the same Spartan power play, the Pointers scored a short handed goal and led AU 3-1.
UWSP scored twice more included a power play goal in the second and led 5-1.
UWSP added three more third period power play goals for the 8-1 score.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Six of the nine goals on the night came via special teams play.
Aurora had 12 penalties for 32 minutes while UW Stevens Point had nine for 18 minutes.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Hunter Vorva had 18 saves.
Max Kirkwood had 15 sabes.
Nikita Smirnov scored one goal,his first collegiate tally.
Jonathan Carlson had an assist.
 
FOR THE FOES
Kelly O'Brien had three goals.
Jake Barber had three assists.
Max Milosek had six saves for the Pointers.
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, October 29 when they travel to Univ. of Wis.-Eau Claire. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.