No.3-ranked Aurora University took down No. 2 Adrian College in overtime on Saturday afternoon at the Fox Valley Ice Arena, securing a 1–0 victory in a top-five showdown. After AU's penalty kill shut down all nine of Adrian's power-play opportunities, the Spartans finally earned a man advantage of their own in overtime and made it count. Less than a minute into the power play, quick puck movement set up Jaden Davis to bury the game-winning goal, completing the sweep of Adrian.
FINAL SCORE: #3 Aurora University 1, #2 Adrian College 0 - overtime
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois
RECORDS: #3 Aurora University 6-0-0 overall and 4-0-0 NCHA; #2 Adrian College 4-2-0 overall and 2-2-0 NCHA.
- AU and Adrian battled through 60 minutes of scoreless, hard-fought hockey, with both teams trading chances and momentum.
- Special teams defined the night. AU's penalty kill delivered a perfect performance, shutting down all nine Adrian power-play attempts.
- The biggest moment came in the second period when the Spartans had three players in the penalty box, forcing an extended 5-on-3 disadvantage.
- Despite the pressure, AU blocked shots, cleared rebounds, and refused to let Adrian find the back of the net.
- The defensive stand energized the arena and set the tone for the rest of the night, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the game rolled into a 3-on-3 overtime period.
- In OT, an Adrian penalty finally gave AU the power-play opportunity it had been waiting for.
- After a clean passing sequence, Blake Kondor and Hassan Akl set up Jaden Davis, who ripped home the game-winner and sent Spartans fans into full celebration mode.
- Goaltender Matt O'Donnell was a brick wall all afternoon, turning aside 28 shots and staying locked in during every penalty kill.
- The Spartans secured a 1–0 win in overtime and a huge top-five victory at home.
POINTS: Jaden Davis, Hassan Akl, and Blake Kondor (1)
GOALS: Jaden Davis (1)
ASSISTS: Hassan Akl and Blake Kondor (1)
SAVES: Matt O'Donnell (28)
Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Friday,November 21 when they host St. Norbert College. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.
