The Austin boys hockey made a big rally against the second place team in the Big Nine, but it wasn’t enough as it fell short 3-2 in Riverside Arena Thursday.

The Packers (3-17-1 overall, 1-12 Big Nine) scored two goals in the second period and the team had eight minutes to tie the contest, but the Packers couldn’t come through. Austin had a power play chance in the late minutes and it couldn’t convert a goal.

“We’re really struggling with our power play,” Austin head coach Erik LaRock said. “It’s really hurting us and we’re not burying our chances.”

Austin got on the board when Adam Maxfield scored on an assist from Dan Larson and Daniel Bollingberg made it a 3-2 game when he scored on an assists from Maxfield and Kenny Ree.

Sophomore Connor Poczos had 38 saves in the loss for Austin, which had 31 shots on goal.

“Connor played really well and he made a couple of big saves that really boosted our momentum,” LaRock said.

The Spartans (13-9 overall, 10-3 Big Nine) scored a goal in the first period and two goals early in the second period.

Austin has now lost four games by one goal this season.

“We know we can play with any team in the conference, we just need to figure out how to win,” LaRock said. “I think that’s our youth showing up.”