Box Score DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Spartans in their second season of hockey, hosted the inaugural 2024 University of Dubuque Key City Collegiate Classic presented by Island Social at ImOn Arena in Dubuque provided exciting hockey on Saturday with the consolation and the championship games going into extra time to find the winners. In the Consolation, UD lost in overtime 2-1 to the #6 ranked UW-Stevens Point Pointers. In the Championship, the two teams would supply the fans another nail biter. Aurora University Spartans scored first only to have the Augsburg University Auggies take the lead by three goals before Aurora rallied for the overtime 5-4 victory.

The University of Dubuque men's hockey team competed in the consolation game of the Key City Collegiate Classic presented by Island Social. The Spartans fended off the attacks from the sixth ranked Pointers. After a scoreless first period, both teams found the back of the net in the second period. The Spartans fought off the biting challenges from the Pointers to force overtime, however, the Pointers scored the sudden death goal to defeat the Spartans 2-1.

"We made some line-up changes this afternoon and brought in four guys who were fresh," commented head coach Seamus Gregory. " A lot of respect for UW-Stevens Point, obviously happy with the way the guys competed and we were in the game right to the end. We have some really good talent in that locker room and great leadership. The Key City Collegiate Classic presented by Island Social is a premiere event with premiere teams. We showed them tonight that were at least going to be in the ball game moving forward."
 
Both teams were held in check by strong defensive play in the first period as both teams left the ice scoreless. The Spartans were first to strike in the game as Jack Paweski scored the Spartans first goal fof the season off assists from Thomas Gazich and Kaden Dundas. The Pointers responded with a goal at 11:03 of the second period, once again the two teams left the ice knotted at 1-1. The Spartans made key defensive stops in the third period as the team finished with 12 blocked shots. Freshman Gavin Lissebeck led the Spartans with three blocked shots, while Kelsey Ouellet had two blocked shots of his own. After no goals scored in the third period, the game would be decided in a three on three, five-minute sudden death overtime period.
 
In overtime the Spartans got off one additional shot in the extra period, but it would not be enough as the Pointers put the game away at 3:48 in overtime to defeat the Spartans 2-1. The Spartans finished with 27 shot attempts, a faceoff percentage of 37.6%, and 12 blocked shots. Goalie Ryan Piros made 40 saves on the night and logged 63:48 of ice time in goal. Max Messier won 10 faceoffs and Layten Liffrig won six in the loss.
 
Up Next
The Spartans (0-2-0) return to the ice next Friday, November 8 as they travel to face  No. 5 ranked St. Norbert College to begin NCHA conference play. Puck drop from St. Norbert is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Key City Collegiate Classic Day Two Results
 
Consolation Final (OT)
UW Stevens-Point – 2
University of Dubuque – 1
 
Championship Game (OT)
Aurora University – 5
Augsburg University – 4