Notables
-Saints coming off a three game win streak
-Shots on goal: CSS - 33, AU - 32
-Spartans are now 1-8-1 in their last 10 games
-Hansen tallies third goal of the season

GENEVA, Ill. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica men's hockey team suffered a 3-1 loss in the first of a two game matchup against Aurora University (Ill.) on Friday afternoon, after a three-goal second period for the Spartans.

The Action
The Saints took the first goal of the game on a power play, thanks to Josh Hansen (Chilliwack, British Columbia/Unity Christian School (Chilliwack-BCHL) ), assisted by Brett Radford (Campbell River, British Columbia/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Canmore-AJHL)) and Mark Whiteley (Surrey, British Columbia/Holy Cross HS (Marian University)), making the score 1-0 half way through the first period. The rest of the first period would see two more power plays, one for each club, neither of which would prove to be fruitful for the advantaged team.

The second period was not a good one for the Saints. The Spartans started the period with a goal from Rihards Marenis, tying the score after just half a minute of play. The Saints killed one power play and held the score at 1-1 until Marenis and his line managed a second goal, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead with eight minutes left until the second intermission. The third and final goal of the game came unassisted from Aurora's Danny Zielecki, making the score 3-1. 

There were four power play opportunities in the third period, three for the Saints and one for the Spartans, but neither team was able to capitalize. The final 20 minutes passed with 32 shots on goal, 16 from each team. 

Notable Performances
Hansen led the Saints with the sole goal and collected four shots on goal. Brandon Millin (Port Moody, British Columbia/Heritage Woods HS (Notre Dame Hounds-SJHL) ) had five shots on goal, followed by Radford who had four with an assist. Zane Steeves (Red Deer, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (100 Mile Wranglers-KIJHL)) was between the pipes for CSS, saving 29 of the 32 shots he faces.

For the Spartans, Marenis had two of the three goals with six shots on goal. Zielecki had the third goal for AU. Jared Rutledge protected the net for Aurora, closing the door on the Saints after the period for a total of 32 saves.

Up Next
The Saints face Aurora again tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m in Geneva.