Drew Aspinwall skates past the Augsburg defense. (photo by Roisen Granlund, Gustavus sports information)
ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team suffered a 3-1 loss to Augsburg College on Friday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink, dropping its overall record to 1-4-2 with a 0-3 mark in the MIAC.
Not much offense was generated in the first period from either team with a combined nine shots – seven from Augsburg and a season-low two from Gustavus. But it didn’t take long for the Auggies to light the lamp in the second period as Trevor Stewart scored just 30 second in. Augsburg then took a 2-0 lead at the 9:01 mark on a short-handed goal by Lucas Hendrickson. With three minutes left in the second frame, Drew Aspinwall (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) nearly netted the first Gustie goal, but it clanked off the post. The Auggies fired 17 shots in the second period, compared to eight by the Gusties, and skated into the second intermission with a 2-0 lead.
Midway through the third period, Augsburg increased its lead to 3-0 on a goal from Will Peterson. The Gusties would not go without a fight, though, and ended the shutout with just 36 seconds remaining in the game. Colin Hernon (So., Bloomington, Minn.) netted his first goal of the season on assists from Jake Bushey (So., Duluth, Minn.) and Jake McCann (So., Shoreview, Minn.). Gustavus nearly made it a one-goal game with 13 seconds on the clock, but a shot by Edvin Johansson (Fy., Vasteras, Sweden) barely missed and the Auggies came away with a 3-1 victory. The Black and Gold put on the pressure in the third period, outshooting the Auggies 15-6.
Chris Amsden (Fy., St. Peter, Minn.) took the loss in goal after recording 27 saves. The Auggies outshot the Gusties 30-25, but the Gusties won the faceoff battle 35-33. Augsburg went 0-1 on the power play, while Gustavus was 0-2 on the man-advantage.
Gustavus wraps up the weekend series in Minneapolis at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Ed Saugestad Rink.