MILWAUKEE – Sophomore Zach Simpson scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the MSOE hockey team to a 5-2 win over Aurora Friday evening at the Kern Center.

The Raiders (13-8-1, 8-8-1 NCHA) scored three goals in the final period to upend the Spartans (2-19-1, 2-14-1 NCHA).

Simpson got the scoring started just 2:19 into the game, one-timing a shot from the left circle into the net for his third goal of the season. Senior Evan Wilson and sophomore Brett Wagner set up the goal.

Aurora pulled a goal back early in an evenly-played second period, tying the game at 4:54 on a power play goal from Tom Greene. By the end of the period, however, Simpson would put the Red & White back ahead.

Junior Gage Christianson set up the puck just after the Spartans killed off a Raider man advantage. He then found Simpson out in front of the net, who finished with a wrist shot at 12:36.

MSOE extended its lead to two goals just 2:21 into the final frame, but AU answered back quickly. Just nine seconds into a penalty, senior Kevin LoGiudice made it 3-1 off assists from senior Nick LaRue and sophomore Jerad Tafoya. The goal would hold up as the game-winner.

It was 19 seconds later that Michael Mikulan pulled the visitors within 3-2 on a one-timer in front of the goal off an assist from Conor Jonasson.

Continuing a flurry of scoring in the third period, sophomore Clint Garris re-establishing a two-goal lead at 4-2 at 6:51. The defenseman flipped a cumbersome shot goal-bound from just inside the blue line to light the lamp unassisted.

Junior Cody Ganchar would go on to add an empty net goal with 50 seconds on the clock to provide for the final score. Simpson had the assist on the goal.

MSOE finished with a 33-22 shot advantage in the game. It went 1-for-3 on power play opportunities, while AU was 1-for-4. Senior Nick Kohn made 20 saves in goal for the win, while Jared Rutledge finished with 28 stops.

The series wraps up Saturday night at the Kern Center. The Puck drops at 7 p.m.