The Aurora University men's hockey team was victorious in the 2025-2026 NCAA Tournament, taking down St. John's University 6-1 in an intense battle at Fox Valley Ice Arena. For the second consecutive season the Spartans were first round winners and advance the the quarterfinal round. The Spartans scored on multiple breakaways in the game and scored three times in a 46 second span of the third period. The three goals took a 2-1 AU lead to a 5-1 stranglehold on the game.
 

FINAL SCORE: #4 Aurora University 6, St. John's University 1
LOCATION: Fox Valley Ice Arena - Geneva, Illinois
RECORDS: #4 Aurora University 24-5-1 overall , St. John's University 17-7-4 overall


- The first period saw the teams take some time to get a feel for the opponent and the goalies making key stops along the way.
- Shortly after being unable to light the lamp on a power play, the Spartans struck.
- With 13.2 seconds left in the first Jakson Kirk scored for the 22nd time on the season.
- The Kirk slapper found its way past the Johnnies goalie and had assists from Jackson Hay and Blake Kondor.
- AU took the 1-0 lead to the first period intermission.
- The Spartans came out flying in the second period but an AU penalty gave the Johnnies life and they eventually took advantage.
- 6:02 into the second, SJU scored on the power play and tied the game 1-1.
- 1:35 later the Spartans regained the lead. A quick exit from the defensive zone saw Chase Broda battle along the boards find a wide open Jacob Brockman who sauced a pass to Andrew Schultz.
- Schultz buried the puck for a 2-1 AU lead.
- The game would remain 2-1 heading to the third period.
- SJU came out with a lot of energy in the third but everything the Johnnies threw at goalie Matt O'Donnell, O'Donnell had an answer for.
- Midway into the third, the Spartans offense took over the game in a 46 second span.
- Conor Ronayne got the scoring started with a gritty goal at 9:07 of the third. Schultz and Rhett Evjen had assists.
- Then just 14 seconds later, a turnover by the Johnnies in front of their own net found the puck on the stick of Jacob Brockman.
- Brockman slammed home the puck into the wide open net and AU led 4-1.
- Lukas Sedlacek put the game to bed 32 seconds later when he took a pass and had a wide open path to the SJU net.
- Sedlacek tickled the twine and AU led 5-1.
- With 6:20 left in the game, SJU pulled the goalie for 6-on-5 hockey.
- SJU peppered O'Donnell with shots but he continued to stand firm.
- AU then headed to a power play while the net remained empty and 4:48 left to play.
- The Spartans took advantage despite being 5-on-5 as Jake Code picked the pocket in the neutral zone and put the puck in the back of the empty net.
- The Code unassisted tally came with 2:56 left.
- The 6-1 AU lead held up in the final minutes.


- Matt O'Donnell recorded 36 saves to earn the win for the Spartans. He stopped all 18 sent his direction in the pivotal third period.
- Three AU goals in 46 seconds of the third period turned the momentum of the game.
- AU improved their record to 24-5-1 with the victory, tying the program best for wins in a season.


POINTS: Andrew Schultz and Jacob Brockman (2)
GOALS: Jakson Kirk, Andrew Schultz, Conor Ronayne, Jacob Brockman, Lukas Sedlacek and Jake Code (1)
ASSISTS: Jackson Hay, Blake Kondor, Jacob Brockman, Chase Broda, Rhett Evjen and Andrew Schultz (1)
SAVES: Matt O'Donnell (36)


Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Saturday, March 21 when they travel for the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament. AU travels to Endicott College for a 7:00 p.m. (est) / 6:00 p.m. (cst) puck drop in Beverley, Mass.