The Aurora University men's hockey team began their first round of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs on Friday night, with the number one seed Spartans hosting Lawrence University at Fox Valley Ice Arena. With a one goal lead for AU heading into the third and final period, AU erupted for three goals to take the game one victory over the Vikings 4-1. Landry Schmuck scored two goals in the contest, both in that final period, to lead the Spartans going into Saturday's game two.

FINAL SCORE: #3 Aurora University 4, Lawrence University 1
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois
RECORDS: #3 Aurora University 22-3-1 overall and 15-2-1 NCHA; Lawrence University 7-17-2 overall and 6-11-1 NCHA


 - AU got out to a power play midway through the opening period and took just 40 seconds while on the advantage to score the game's first goal.
- Landry Schmuck sniped one from inside the circle which was saved, but Chayce Schmidt was there for the rebound and score to give AU the early 1-0 lead.
- Hassan Akl was also credited with an assist on Schmidt's goal.
- This gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission, as they put 12 shots on goal in the opening period.
- AU got out to another power play just over midway through the second period, this time a 5 v 3 advantage.
- Jakson Kirk, Akl, and Schmuck each blistered shots on goal that hit the crossbar, keeping the Spartans lead at 1-0.
- That one goal lead would hold going into the second intermission, as JaCob Mucitelli finished with 10 saves in the second period alone for AU to keep the Vikings scoreless.
- At 5:43 in the third, Schmuck lit the lamp to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
- Schmuck was assisted by Blake Kondor and Akl on his first goal of the night.
'- Exactly 11 minutes later, Schmuck scored again with an empty net for the Vikings.
- Akl picked up his third assist on Schmuck's second goal to give AU a 3-0 lead.
- Lawrence got on the board with 1:25 to go, cutting into the Spartan lead.
- AU regained that three goal lead with just over a minute to go in the game, as John Hallard and Jakson Kirk assisted Lukas Sedlacek for another empty net goal.
- This helped give the Spartans the 4-1 game one win.


POINTS: Hassan Akl and Landry Schmuck (3)
GOALS: Landry Schmuck (2), Chayce Schmidt and Lukas Sedlacek (1)
ASSISTS: Hassan Akl (3), Landry Schmuck, Blake Kondor, Jakson Kirk and John Hallard (1)
SAVES: JaCob Mucitelli (20)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, February 22 when they host Lawrence University in the first round of the Harris Cup Playoffs. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena.