The Aurora University men's hockey team hosted the Vikings from Lawrence University on Friday evening at the Fox Valley Ice Arena. The teams played through overtime to a 2-2 tie.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 2; Lawrence University 2 - Overtime
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois – Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-10-1; 3-5-1 NCHA; Lawrence University 4-8-2; 3-4-2 NCHA
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game began very physical with both teams having several scoring opportunities.
Lawrence Universality had two power plays but the AU penalty kill did not allow them to capitalize.
Late in the first period the Spartans took advantage of their only power play of the period scoring the first goal of the game with 2:19 left. Anthony Pnewski scored and was assisted by Brendan Logan and Tim Santopoalo for a slap shot from top center. The goal came with a Spartans on a five on three.
The teams headed to intermission with AU leading 1-0 and 12-8 in shots.
Early in the second period, the Vikings scored a power play goal at 3:06 of the second period to tie the game 1-1.
With the game still tied at 1-1, Spartan goalie Jared Rutledge made a huge break away save midway through the second period to keep the score tied.
Lawrence took the lead at 12:34 of the second period on a goal by Josh Koepplinger assisted from Lane King.
AU trailed Lawrence 2-1 heading into the second intermission.
Just under six minutes into the third the Spartans scored on beautiful end to end passing. Brendan Logan lit the lamp and was assisted by Liam Stirtzinger and Nick DeSimone.
With 14:08 left the game was tied 2-2.
No other goals were scored in the remainder of regulation and the game headed to overtime.
The Spartans had a few good shots on goal in overtime with the chance to win the game but could not find the back of the net.
The game ended in a tie 2-2 after the overtime period.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Brendan Logan (2)
Goals: Anthony Pnewski and Brendan Logan (1)
Assists: Brendan Logan, Tim Santopoalo, Nick DeSimone and Liam Stirtzinger (1)
Saves: Jared Rutledge (32)
Face-offs: Chris Nowacki 9 for 16 and Drew Doyon 16 for 33
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, January 14 when they host the series finale against Lawrence University. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.