In the first game of a weekend non-conference series, the Aurora University Spartans fell to the St. Mary's University (Minnesota) Cardinals 7-2 in a game that was filled with physicality.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: St. Mary's University 7, Aurora University 2
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois – Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-7-0; St. Mary's University 6-4-2
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cardinals took an early lead scoring three times in the first period with their first goal coming 3:06 into the game and the other two at 8:06 and 9:28.
Spartan goalie Jared Rutledge was lifted after the third goal with Max Kirkwood coming on in relief.
St. Mary's continued the scoring in the second period with two more goals coming 3:52 into the period and at 14:52.
In the second period the physicality of the game picked up with numerous penalties and hard hits.
St. Mary's extended the score to 6-0 early in the third.
AU scored their first goal at 6:12 of the third when Trevor Hoth assisted Brendan Logan.
A few minutes later on the power play, AU's Andrew Rupert and Rihards Marenis assisted Rudolfs Kalvitis for a goal. AU trailed 6-2 with 10 minutes to play.
The Cardinals scored the final goal with 5:46 left to play and seal the victory.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Goals: Brendan Logan and Rudolfs Kalvitis (1)
Assists: Trevor Hoth, Rihards Marenis and Andrew Rupert (1)
Saves: Max Kirkwood (19)
Face-offs: Bayley Marshall (12 for 20)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Sunday, December 11 when they host St. Mary's University (Minnesota) at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m.