STEVENS POINT, Wis.- Freshman forward Kelly O'Brien (Detroit, MI) scored two goals in the third period to complete his first career hat trick, leading the No 1. ranked UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team to an 8-1 victory over Aurora University Friday night at K.B. Willett Arena.
 
In the third period, O'Brien scored a pair of power-play goals in the span of 3:17 giving UW-Stevens Point (1-0-0) its first win of the 2016-17 season.
 
Kyle Sharkey (Moore, OK/Insight School of Kansas) got the Pointers on the scoreboard finding a pass from Lawrence Cornellier (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem), just 42 seconds into the opening period to put UWSP ahead early.
 
At the 12:59 mark of the first frame, Sharkey returned the favor, setting up Cornellier for his first goal of the night, giving the Pointers a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
 
Seven minutes into the second period, Nikita Smirnov cut the lead in half for Aurora (0-1-0) off an assist by Jonathan Carlson, before the Pointers stretch of six unanswered goals.
 
Just 1:01 later, Cornellier netted his second goal of the evening, shorthanded, igniting a three-goal second period. At the 11:15 mark in the second period, the Pointers scored back-to-back goals from O'Brien and Jono Davis (La Verne, CA) to put UWSP up 5-1.
 
In the third period, Jacob Barber (Dardenne Prairie, MO) netted his first goal of the season, 9:05 into the final period, before O'Brien capped off his hat trick.
 
Junior goaltender Max Milosek (Lapeer, MI) made six saves in the win for UWSP, and Hunter Vorva and Max Kirkwood combined for 33 saves for the Spartans.
 
UW-Stevens Point took advantage on the power play, going 4-9 while Aurora went 1-7.
 
UWSP returns to action on Oct. 29 taking on Lawrence at K.B. Willett Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans get a free rally towel courtesy of Skyward.