The Aurora University men's hockey team fell behind 2-1 after the first period on Friday night against the Sabres of Marian University, but it was no problem for the Spartans as they ran away with the 4-2 victory at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Hassan Akl finished with two points to lead the #5 ranked Spartans in their first game of the series.

FINAL SCORE: #5 Aurora University 4, Marian University 2
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois 
RECORDS: #5 Aurora University 13-3-0 overall; and 7-2-0 NCHA; Marian University 6-10-0 overall and 3-6-0 NCHA


- Marian scored the game's first goal at the 11:52 mark of the first period to hand the Spartans the early 1-0 deficit.
- Matt Weber answered right back for AU 23 seconds later when he notched his sixth goal of the season, tying the score at one.
- The Sabres took a 2-1 lead a little over a minute after Weber scored his goal.
- This gave AU a 2-1 deficit heading into the first intermission.
- Shortly after killing off an early second period power play from Marian, Landry Schmuck lit the lamp with AU at even strength.
- Schmuck's 15th goal of the season was assisted by Akl and Jacob Brockman to tie the score at two about midway through the second frame.
- Jake Code gave AU the 3-1 lead at 16:31 in the second when he sniped one in off a nifty pass from Riley Dekowny.
- Marian cut that lead to one at the end of the second period, leaving the Spartans a 3-2 lead heading into the second intermission.
- AU added one more with 20 seconds left as Blake Kondor found Hassan Akl for the 4-2 lead.
- This helped give the Spartans a 4-2 victory.'
- JaCob Mucitelli finished with 24 saves in the game, as the AU defense did not allow any goals in the final two periods.


POINTS: Hassan Akl (2)
GOALS: Jake Code, Landry Schmuck, Matt Weber and Hassan Akl (1)
ASSISTS: Riley Dekowny, Blake Kondor, Simon Diaz and Hassan Akl (1)
SAVES: JaCob Mucitelli (24)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, January 18 when they travel to Marian University. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.