The Aurora University men's hockey team took to the Fox Valley Ice Arena ice as the #2 seed in the first round of the Harris Cup Playoffs on Friday afternoon against #7 Lake Forest College. The Spartans defeated the Foresters 4-1 behind a three goal first period.


FINAL SCORE: #10 Aurora University 4, Lake Forest College 1
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 18-6-2 overall ; Lake Forest College 10-12-4 overall


- In the first period, the Spartans roared out to a 3-0 lead over the Foresters. 
- 4:37 into the first period, Simon Boyko and Lukas Sedlacek found the stick of Nate Keeley who fired a slap shot that found the back of the Foresters net. 
- Four minutes later, on 4v4 play, Hassan Akl located Tyler Pang who faced the Lake Forest goaltender all alone and scored a forehand goal to give AU a 2-0 lead.
- For the second time on 4v4, Simon Boyko found the back of the net to extend the Spartans lead 3-0. He was assisted by Nate Keeley and Brendan Blair. 
- AU carried the 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
- 6:43 into the second period, Nate Keeley tallies his second of the night when he scores off the crossbar on assists from Simon Boyko and Juliano Santalucia. 
- Lake Forest quickly responded 10 seconds after AU made it 4-0. With 13:06 remaining in the period the Spartans led 4-1. 
- AU led 4-1 going to the second intermission.
- The third period would be scoreless but not without excitement.
- With six minutes remaining, the Foresters had the power play advantage and pulled their goaltender for an extra skater. 
- AU goaltender Tanner Marshall and his defensive unit in front were able to keep the Foresters from finding the back of the net.
- The Spartans were victorious in game one 4-1.


Points: Simon Boyko and Nate Keeley (3)
Goals: Nate Keeley (2), Simon Boyko and Tyler Pang (1)
Assists: Simon Boyko (2), Brendan Blair, Nate Keeley, Juliano Santalucia, Hassan Akl and Lukas Sedlacek (1)
Saves: Tanner Marshall (39)
 

Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, February 18 when they host game two of the first round series of the 2022-2023 NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs. AU will host Lake Forest College at the BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.