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Aurora University’s first games as reigning conference champion, against Robert Morris University – Maroon, did not go as smoothly as they had hoped because RMU gave them all they could handle. Over the course of the two game series neither team ever had more than a two goal lead and there were numerous lead changes. In the end, Aurora eked out two one-goal victories, which matched their season total from last year, and kept their overall conference record unblemished.  

Up in Marquette, MI, DePaul University swept their series with Northern Michigan University. The four point weekend jumped DePaul back up into a tie for second place, this time with Marquette University. NMU is still looking for their first win of the season and have eight games remaining to break their winless streak.

In non-conference action Marian University swept University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Marquette University split with University of Wisconsin – Madison, Lewis University split with Ohio State University, and Concordia University split with St. Norbert College.

Aurora University escapes The Edge with two one-goal victories over Robert Morris University - Maroon:

The crowd at The Edge, in Bensenville, IL, saw their home team, Robert Morris University – Maroon strike first against Aurora University. Tallying the opening goal for RMU was Graham Walsh, assisted by Anthony Trankina and AJ Kapcheck, at 12:32. Aurora’s Ian Sweeney, assisted by Jordan Holloway and Vincent Palermo, answered back at the 13:50 mark. With a minute and three seconds to go in the first period Greg Sommesi put RMU back on top by one; credited with assists were Elliott Fafinski and Walsh.

Taking the ice to start period two, RMU held a 2-1 lead. However, the lead would not last long. At 1:46 Dan Zielecki, assisted by Ricky Salinas, pulled Aurora even with RMU. Then at the 11:27 mark, Aurora took their first lead in the game when Sweeney netted his second goal of the game, while on the power play, assisted by Zielecki. Neither team found the back of the net during the remaining 8:33 of the second, so after two periods of play Aurora was up 3-2.

Sweeney was whistled for a boarding penalty at 13:28 of the third, putting RMU’s power play unit back on the ice. In addition, for the first time all night they were able to capitalize and erase Aurora’s one goal lead. Scoring the power play goal for RMU was Walsh, assisted by Cam Bernicki, at 14:10. As in the first, Aurora answered back in quick succession when Zielecki, assisted by Rudolfs Kalvitis, lit the lamp at 14:59. Zielecki’s second goal of the game ended up being the game winner and final goal of the game. As a result, Aurora emerged with a hard fought 4-3 victory.

Backstopping the Aurora victory was Bradley Neal, stopping 30 of the 33 shots he faced. Chet Tooker took the loss for RMU, stopping 29 of 33 shots on net.

Graham Walsh scored the opening goal in game two of the series, as he had in game one, however this time he only had to wait 41 seconds before finding the back of the net. Credited with an assist was Drew Downey. Jordan Holloway, assisted by Vincent Palermo, tickled the twine at 4:08, tying the game at one apiece. Aurora took the lead at the 7:55 mark off the stick of Palermo, assisted by Holloway and Nicholas Desimone. At 9:33, Aurora took a two-goal lead, the first time all series one team led by more than one goal. Netting Aurora’s third unanswered goal was Ricky Salinas, assisted by Dan Zielecki and Christopher Laporte. Walsh’s second goal of the period brought RMU back within one at the 14:42 mark, credited with assists were AJ Kapcheck and Downey. When Zielecki lit the lamp at 15:04, assisted by Patrick MacDonald and Samuel Weiss, Aurora regained their two-goal advantage. It also precipitated a goaltender change by RMU, as Chet Tooker replaced Michael Newberger. When the horn sounded, signaling the completion of period one, Aurora led 4-2.

With Tooker in net, Aurora was not able to add to their goal total in the second period, but RMU did cut into their lead. Scoring the only goal of the period was Kyle Werniak, assisted by Mitch Bayers and Anthony Trankina, at 18:45. So, with two periods in the books, Aurora held a slim 4-3 lead.

During the third period RMU’s offensive attack kept the pressure on Aurora’s goaltender, Bradley Neal, while Tooker stayed perfect between the pipes. Even with outshooting Aurora 14-5 in the final stanza, RMU could not find the tying goal. So, as the clock hit zero, Aurora escaped with a second 4-3 victory on the weekend.

Bradley Neal once again emerged with the victory, stopping 32 of the 33 shots RMU put on net. For RMU, Michael Newberger absorbed the defeat, stopping 4 of the 8 shots he faced in 15:04 of ice time. In relief, Chet Tooker turned away all 18 shots he faced in the remaining 44:56.

DePaul University sweeps Northern Michigan University:

DePaul University won Friday night’s game 13-0 and Saturday’s game as well, though no score has been reported. As of publication, the game sheets had not been posted for a more detailed account of each game.

Non-Conference:

Concordia split with St. Norbert College, losing 5-4 on Friday and winning 4-2 on Saturday.

Lewis University split with Ohio State University, losing 8-1 on Friday and winning 4-2 on Saturday.

Marian University swept University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, winning 4-3 (OT) on Friday and 5-2 on Saturday.

Marquette University split with University of Wisconsin – Madison, winning 5-4 on Friday and losing 7-6 on Saturday.

Idle:

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh