The Aurora University men's hockey team returned to the ice for game two of a ranked NCHA matchup against the Green Knights of St. Norbert College. The Spartans delivered the Green Knights their second conference loss with a 3-2 comeback overtime thriller victory. AU scored two goals in the final 2:23 of the third period to tie the game and Spartan Derrick Budz tallied the game winning goal with 9.7 seconds left in the three-on-three overtime session. 


FINAL SCORE: #12 Aurora University 3, #5 St. Norbert College 2
LOCATION: Geneva, Illinois - Fox Valley Ice Arena
RECORDS: Aurora University 12-3-2  overall and 8-0-2 in the NCHA; St. Norbert College 9-5-1 overall and 6-2 in the NCHA 


- St. Norbert struck first with a power play tally with 6:07 left on the clock in the opening period.
- The teams headed to the first intermission with SNC leading 1-0.
- The second period saw no goals, but the physical play intensified with numerous penalties.
- In the final minutes of the second period, the Green Knights saw two players in the penalty box giving the Spartans a 5 on 3 advantage. 
- To open the third, the Spartans had 40 seconds of 5 on 3 play, but were unable to capitalize on the Green Knight short hand play.
- With 13:57 remaining on the clock, the Green Knights extended their lead to 2-0.
- With 3:40 to play in the game, the Spartans went to the power play and Spartan Head Coach Jason Bloomingburg used his timeout to rally the unit.
- 17 seconds later, Adam Keyes brought the Spartans back within one on the power play tally. Keyes was assisted by Jacob Brockman and Jaden Condotta.
- Trailing by one, AU pulled goalkeeper Kolby Thornton with 1:05 left to play for an extra skater. 
- With 5.4 seconds remaining Spartan Hassan Akl found the back of the Green Knights net after the Spartans pulled away from a corner jam. Jack Jaunich recorded the assist on the equalizer. 
- The Spartans and Green Knights headed into a five minute overtime with three skaters on each side.
- The first four minutes of overtime saw St. Norbert with the only shots on target and Thornton maintaining his wall in front of the net.
- In the final seconds of overtime, Derrick Budz got the game winner to complete the sweep of St. Norbert. Budz was assisted by Jack Jaunich. 
- The celebration of the goal came with 9.7 seconds showing on the game clock.
- After a school recorded of 65 saves in last nights contest, Thornton had another tremendous night, making 47 saves in the comeback effort. 


Points: Jack Jaunich (2)
Goals: Adam Keyes, Hassan Akl and Derrick Budz (1)
Assists: Jack Jaunich (2) 
Saves: Kolby Thornton (47)
 

Next action for the Spartan men's hockey team comes on Friday, January 13 when they host Concordia University Wisconsin. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.