Playing in its final home game of the season, the Forester men's hockey team was defeated 3-2 Friday night by Aurora University.
Lake Forest took the early lead on junior forward Zach Leonard's first goal of the season at 4:13 in the opening period. The score occurred just 47 seconds in to the game's first power play opportunity and was assisted by senior forwards Troy Nelson and Aaron O'Neill.
The home team had a 10-8 advantage in shots in the first 20 minutes of the contest and was still ahead 1-0 when the buzzer sounded.
Aurora tied the score midway through the second period and outshot the Foresters 14-13 in the frame. Lake Forest, however, led 2-1 thanks to another power play goal, this time off the stick of junior forward Cullen Kane at the 16:50 mark. Leonard and Nelson assisted on the Cane's first score of the season.
The Foresters were unable to maintain the lead in the third with the Spartans pulling even again at 1:56 and scoring what turned out the be the game's final goal at 9:24. Aurora put a dozen shots on goal in the period while limiting Lake Forest to six.
Forester sophomore goaltender Nick Wiencek made 31 saves on the night.
The same two teams will face off again at Aurora Saturday evening at 7:00. It will be the Foresters' final game of the year.
