The Aurora University men's hockey team hit the ice for the first game of their series against the Thunder of Trine University. After taking a 3-1 lead into the second intermission, the Spartans saw their lead evaporate in the third period as the game went into overtime. However, Chayce Schmidt's goal at the beginning the overtime period gave AU the 5-4 victory over the 12th ranked Thunder.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 4, #12 Trine University 3 - overtime
LOCATION: Angola, Indiana
RECORDS: Aurora University 9-8-1 overall and 8-3 NCHA, Trine University 14-4 overall and 9-2 NCHA


- Trine scored the game's first goal a little over three minutes into the first period.
- With less than two minutes remaining in the first, Chayce Schmidt leveled the score off an assist from Jakson Kirk.
- Schmidt's third goal of the season kept the Spartans tied with the hosts heading into the first intermission.
- Chase Broda fired one into the back of the net just 51 seconds into the second period to put AU in front 2-1. He was assisted by John Hallard.
- Hallard picked up another assist about eight minutes later when he set up Hassan Akl for a goal that extended the Spartans lead to 3-1.
- Blake Kondor also picked up an assist on the Akl's fifth goal of the season.
- AU held their 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
- Trine narrowed the gap to one in the beginning of the third period off a power play goal.
- With just over a minute and a half remaining, Trine tied the score at 3.
- The late goal from the hosts sent the game to overtime.
- A minute and a half into overtime saw the Spartans on a 4v3 power play. Jakson Kirk and Juliano Santalucia set up Schmidt for the game winning goal.
- Schmidt's game winner and second goal of the game made it a 4-3 final.


Points: Chayce Schmidt, John Hallard, and Jakson Kirk (2), Hassan Akl, Chase Broda, Juliano Santalucia and Blake Kondor (1)
Goals: Chayce Schmidt (2), Hassan Akl and Chase Broda (1)
Assists: John Hallard and Jakson Kirk (2), Juliano Santalucia and Blake Kondor (1)
Saves: Matt O'Donnell (43)
 

Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, January 20 when they travel to Trine University. Puck drop is slated for 4:00 pm (est) / 3:00 pm (cst) in Angola, Indiana.