The Aurora University men's hockey team opened up the 2022-2023 season against Arcadia University, overcoming a scoreless first period to defeat the visitors 5-3.
 

FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 5, Arcadia University 3
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-0 overall; Arcadia University 0-1 overall 


- The game got off to a slow start with no scoring in the opening 20 minutes.
- AU held a 12-5 shot advantage in the opening frame but couldn't find the back of the net.
- Just 34 seconds into the second period, Matt Weber ended the scoreless drought with an assist from Simon Boyko.
- A power play tally from Arcadia midway through the period tied the game 1-1.
- Late in the second the Spartans added two goals 18 seconds a part.
- Derrick Budz got the first tally from Gio Procopio and then Jake Onstett scored his first collegiate goal on an assist from Nate Keely.
- AU took a 3-1 lead to the second intermission.
- The Spartans added to their lead 3:47 into the third with Nate Keeley scoring the first of his two goals in the period. Adam Keyes and Jack Jaunich assisted.
- After a flurry of penalties, scoring followed in a wild 49 seconds of action.
- Arcadia cut the AU lead to 4-2 at 12:46 but 17 seconds later, Keeley pushed the lead back to three at 5-2.
- Arcadia would answer 32 seconds after the Keeley goal for the 5-3 score with 6:25 left in the game.
- In the final 2:13 of the game, the Spartans had to fight off a pair of penalties and Arcadia pulled their goalie for a 6 on 3.
- Mateo Paler-Chow and the penalty-kill unit stood strong to keep the two goal lead in order.
- AU won 5-3
 

Points: Nate Keeley (3)
Goals: Nate Keeley (2)
Assists: Nate Keeley, Gio Procopio, Simon Boyko, Jake Code, Adam Keyes and Jack Jaunich (1)
Saves: Mateo Paler-Chow (20) 
 

Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, October 29 when they host Arcadia University. Puck drop is slated for 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.