The Aurora University men's hockey team was back in action for a Tuesday night match-up against Lake Forest College at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Giovanni Procopio picked up a hat trick for the Spartans as they shut out the Foresters 6-0.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 6, Lake Forest College 0
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-4-1 overall, Lake Forest College 4-7-0 overall


- The game opened with an AU goal just 45 seconds into the first period, as Jakson Kirk picked up a puck in the Lake Forest defensive zone and found Derrick Budz who put the Spartans up 1-0.
- AU gained a 2-0 lead at the 15:18 mark while on a 5v4 power play. Hassan Aki passed it to Budz for the one timer that was saved, but Giovanni Procopio was there for the tip in.
- AU took this two goal lead into the first intermission.
- The Spartans started the second period with a 5v3 power play, but were unable to take an early 3-0 lead.
- A chippy second frame saw both teams play scoreless until the final minute when Procopio struck again with AU shorthanded. Jake Code assisted Procopio on the play.
- AU out shot the Foresters 25-16 and carried a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.
- Jakson Kirk fired one in to the back of the Lake Forest net at the 2:32 mark in the third period to increase the AU lead. Kirk was assisted by Lukas Sedlacek and Chayce Schmidt.
- About five minutes later, Procopio picked up his hat trick with the Spartans on a 5v4 power play. Budz collected his second assist on the play along with Jacob Brockman. 
- Chase Broda tacked on one more goal for AU in the final minute, knocking one in after the missed shot from Matt Weber.
- This allowed the Spartans to cruise to a 6-0 victory.


Points: Giovanni Procopio and Derrick Budz (3), Jakson Kirk (2)
Goals: Giovanni Procopio (3), Jakson Kirk, Chase Broda, and Derrick Budz (1)
Assists: Derrick Budz (2)
Saves: JaCob Mucitelli (29)
 

Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team will be in action again on Saturday, December 30 when they travel to Norwich University for their first game of the NSB Holiday Tournament.  Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. (est) and 6:00 p.m. (cst) in Northfield, Vermont.