GENEVA, Ill. - St. Norbert College, playing its first game in 41 days, shook off the rust quickly and with a three-goal first period as the impetus topped Aurora University 3-2 in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

The Green Knights (10-4, 8-1 NCHA) played their first game since Dec. 2 and won for the seventh time in their last eight outings.

St. Norbert jumped ahead early, with Braden Lindstrom scoring off a Calvin Hanson helper at the 5:32 mark of the first period. Liam Fraser then scored unassisted for his eighth marker of the year at the 9:07 mark. The Green Knights killed off a penalty and then T.J. Koufis posted his sixth goal of the year, finishing off an Adam Stacho assist, for a 3-0 lead at the 18:49 mark. Aurora got a goal back when Jakson Kirk scored at 19:16 for a 3-1 margin at first intermission.

Aurora switched goaltenders, with the Green Knights outshooting the Spartans 15-4 in the second period but new netminder Matt O'Donnell turning away each shot. Aurora got to within one with a Chase Broda 4-on-4 goal at 11:18.

Aurora outshot the Green Knights 13-9 in the third period and had 72 seconds of extra-attacker time, but the Green Knights held off the Spartans for the one-goal win. It marked the eighth time in the last nine games in the St. Norbert-Aurora series the game has been decided by one goal or less.

St. Norbert outshot Aurora 35-27. Hunter Garvey turned away 25 shots to get the win for the Green Knights.

The Green Knights were 0-for-4 on the power play, while Aurora was 0-for-3.