The Aurora University Spartan hockey team earned the first shutout in the programs short history as they defeated Finlandia University in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association contest 2-0.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 2, Finlandia University 0
LOCATION: Riverview Ice House - Rockford, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-2 overall and 2-0 NCHA; Finlandia University 0-4 overall and 0-2 NCHA
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
On a penalty kill early in the first period, AU got a short handed goal courtesy of Chris Nowacki and they led 1-0.
Shortly after the goal, AU had to kill off a 5 on 3 and did so successfully and led 1-0 at the end of one period.
The second and third periods would become a tad sloppy with 18 penalties, 10 in the second session.
Early in the second and on the power play, AU's Nikita Smirnov scored with helpers from Jonathan Carlson and Andrew Rupert.
Special teams, the AU defense and Hunter Vorva made the 2-0 lead stand up as AU would shutout Finlandia 2-0.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Both AU goals came courtesy of special teams, one each on the power play and penalty kill.
The game had 22 penalties with 10 for AU and 12 for Finlandia.
AU is now 3-1-2 all-time against Finlandia.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
AU out shot Finlandia 32-23.
Hunter Vorva had 23 saves in the winning shutout effort.
Chris Nowacki and Nikita Smirnov scored one goal apiece.
Brendan Logan, Jonathan Carlson, Andrew Rupert and Anthony Pnewski each had an assist.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
GOALS: Chris Nowacki and Nikita Smirnov (1)
POWER PLAY GOALS: Nikita Smirnov (1)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: Chris Nowacki (1)
ASSISTS: Brendan Logan, Jonathan Carlson, Andrew Rupert and Anthony Pnewski (1)
SAVES: Hunter Vorva (23)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Friday, November 11 when they travel to St. Norbert College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in De Pere, Wisconsin.