Box Score

GENEVA, Ill. – No. 4 Aurora (Ill.) scored four goals in the third period, including three in a span of 46 seconds, to hand Saint John's hockey a 6-1 defeat in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Tournament on Saturday, March 14, at Fox Valley Ice Arena. 

The Johnnies (17-7-4 overall) had a number of quality chances down 2-1 in the third, but after a missed scoring opportunity, Aurora (24-5-1 overall) scored its first of three quick goals on the other end of the ice. The Spartans extended their lead to two at the 9:07 mark of the third, scored their next 14 seconds later and another on a breakaway 32 seconds after that.  

SJU outshot AU 18-8 in the third period and 37-33 for the game. 

Jakson Kirk gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead with his 22nd goal of the season with 13.2 seconds left in the first period. 

Sophomore forward Jordan Newpower (Lino Lakes, Minn.) evened the score with a power-play goal, his eighth tally of the season, 6:02 into the second period. After freshman forward Carter Krenke (Bloomington, Minn.) and senior captain Mason Campbell (Rosemount, Minn.) moved the puck on the perimeter, Krenke dished a pass to junior forward Jackson Borst (Edina, Minn.) at the goal line. Borst turned for a quick shot on goal and Newpower put away the rebound. 

AU regained the lead 1:37 later, as Andrew Schultz scored his third goal of the season on a 2-on-1. 

Aurora tacked on one more on the power play after the Johnnies were whistled for a penalty with the goalie pulled in the third.  

AU entered the game fourth in Division III on the power play at 27.7 percent (36-for-130) and eighth nationally on the penalty kill at 88.4 percent (114-for-129).  

Senior goaltender Jon Howe (Chanhassen, Minn.) recorded 27 saves in the loss, including a 17-save first to end his season with a 16-6-4 record. 

Senior goaltender Tom Kuriscak (Stillwater, Minn.) played the game's final 2:56 and did not face a shot. 

SJU's seven seniors scored a combined 119 points (38g/91a) and totaled a 50-43-12 record in four years with three MIAC tournament appearances and this season's NCAA game.