Auggies’ Three Unanswered Downs Gusties In MIAC Men’s Hockey Championship Posted on March 3rd, 2018 by

(Photo courtesy of Jeff Lawler, d3photography.com)

BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – After the Gusties took a 1-0 lead late in the first period, Augsburg University roared back with three unanswered goals to defeat the Gustavus men’s hockey team 3-1 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff championship game Saturday evening.

Gustavus ends its turnaround season with a 12-13-3 record, while the No. 15-ranked Auggies become the first ever MIAC men’s hockey team to claim three consecutive playoff titles.

JT Walters (Sr., Escondido, Calif.) gave the Gusties a 1-0 lead at the 16:46 minute mark of the first frame with his second of the season, unassisted. His shot from the point fluttered through traffic and past Auggie netminder Nick Schmit as the visitors took a one-goal advantage into the intermission. The shot total read 12-12 through the first 20 minutes.

The Auggies stormed back into the middle frame, outshooting the Gusties 21-6 and eventually tying the game late in the period while gaining momentum heading into the third period. Gustavus turned away three Auggie power play opportunities while going scoreless on one power play chance.

Just under nine minutes into the final frame with the puck stuck in the Gustie defensive zone, Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.) lost his stick and Augsburg quickly capitalized as Lukas Gillett found the top corner for the eventual game-winner. Minutes later, the Auggies put the dagger in as Luke Dietsch broke through the Gustie defense and beat Amsden for the two-goal cushion.

Gustavus pulled Amsden during a timeout with two and a half minutes left, down by two goals, but were unable to put another past the Auggies.

Augsburg owned a 48-27 shot on goal advantage, while each team went scoreless on the power play. Amsden tallied a career-high 45 saves while suffering the loss.

 

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