DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's hockey team competed fiercely against #6 Aurora University on Saturday but ultimately fell 5-2. The match was tied at two after two periods but Aurora (2-0-0) pulled away late to secure the Key City Collegiate Classic Championship.
The UD Spartans (1-1-0) were firing on all cylinders as the first period began. Two minutes in,
Jack Paweski connected with
Owen Hardy to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Aurora answered five minutes later to tie the match at one apiece. Goalkeeper
Beau Altman made several fantastic saves to kill a 5-on-3 penalty and keep the match tied going into the first intermission. The UD Spartans responded again in the second, as
Zach Burfoot and
Matt Downie found
Jack Paweski for an upper-corner goal to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead. Aurora would respond four minutes later, and the score would stay tied after two periods. The score would remain tied for the next ten minutes before Aurora would take a 3-2 lead. Aurora would find another goal with five minutes left and score an empty net goal to close the game 5-2 in Aurora's favor.
Paweski would score once and add an assist on four shots.
Brock Weimer took two shots, won seven of twelve face-offs, and blocked three shots to aid the Spartans in all facets of the game.
Aleksey Zielinski also blocked three shots on defense. Burfoot tallied an assist and won eight face-offs during the contest. In goal, Altman made 33 saves in his first game of the season.
2025 University of Dubuque Key City Collegiate Classic All-Tournament Team presented by Island Social
Goalie – Matt O'Donnell – Aurora University
Defensemen – Jackson Hay – Aurora University
Defensemen – Blake Norris – UW- Stevens Point
Forward – Landon Parker - Augsburg University
Forward –
Jack Paweski - University of Dubuque
Forward –
Owen Hardy – University of Dubuque
Up Next
The Spartans will return to action next weekend at home to face another ranked opponent in #5 St. Norbert College. The Green Knights (2-1-0) defeated Lawrence University and split with St. Olaf College on Friday and Saturday.
