The Middlebury men's hockey team saw its comeback attempt fall short, suffering a 5-2 loss to 12th-ranked Aurora. The Panthers cut the deficit to one (3-2) late in the third period, but the Spartans took advantage of a power play and an empty net to secure the 5-2 victory. With the win, Aurora claims the consolation game of the 24th Annual FirstLight Shootout hosted by Norwich, while #9 Norwich and #14 Plattsburgh State play for the title at 7:00 p.m.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Spartans got on the scoreboard 1:07 into the contest when a dump in from the left point bounced hard off the boards behind the Panther net. Jake Code was there on the right post to poke in the loose puck for the 1-0 edge.
• The Panthers tied it up 4:19 into the period following an Aurora turnover deep in its defensive zone. Paddy Bogart collected the puck behind the goal, sending a cross-crease pass to Michael Fairfax, who connected with Jin Lee on the right for a one-timer to even the contest at 1-1.
• Looking to retake the lead, the Spartans produced four scoring opportunities over the next few minutes, with the best chance coming at 16:33 while on the power play. Jack Jaunich's shot from the left side was blocked by Wyatt Pastor, who dove across the circles to prevent the goal.
• With 22 seconds remaining in the period, Cole Joslin nearly gave the Panthers an edge when he poked at a loose puck on the right post, but Spartan netminder Kolby Thornton saved the bid with his left pad. 
• Aurora applied offensive pressure for most of the second period, as a rising shot by Condotto at the 8:48 mark on the doorstep deflected up and over an open Panther net.
• Middlebury manufactured its best chance of the period on a two-on-one at 16:01, but W. Pastor's wrister was saved by Thornton.
• The Spartans took a 2-1 lead with 1:30 remaining in the period when Hassan Akl tapped in a rebound on the doorstep. 
• Aurora pushed its advantage to 3-1 with a shorthanded goal just 1:12 into the third frame. Nate Keeley won a faceoff in the offensive zone, sending the puck back to Giovanni Procopio who ripped a shot from the blueline into the top-right corner of the net.
• The Panthers pulled to within one (3-2) with an extra skater, as Nolan Moore blasted a shot from the left point at 13:11 that tucked under the bar.
• Aurora regained its two-goal edge 1:27 later on the power play when Adam Keyes' wrist shot from between the circles found space inside the right post, making it 4-2.
• Middlebury pulled Horoho with 3:06 left in the contest in favor of the extra skater, but Jaunich added an empty-net goal with 1:14 remaining for the final 5-2 score.

NOTES

• Lee's goal was his team-high third of the season, while Moore collected his first goal.
• Panther goalie Jake Horoho finished with a season-best 33 saves in the Panther crease.
• Saturday's contest was the first meeting between Middlebury and Aurora.