BLAINE, Minn. – After leading 2-1 heading into the third period, the Gustavus men’s hockey team allowed No. 13-ranked Augsburg University to come back and earn a 3-2 victory in overtime during the 2017-18 season opener at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Showcase at Schwan’s Super Rink.
The Auggies took the first lead just under seven minutes into the game, as Alex Rodriguez found space in the slot and fired a shot past Gustie goalie Chris Amsden (Jr., St. Peter, Minn.). Augsburg out shot Gustavus 9-6 in the first frame and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Led by freshman contribution and special teams play, the Black and Gold scored twice in the second period to claim its first lead of the season. Near the midway point of the game, Colton Schmidt (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored the first Gustie goal of the season, tying the game with help from Logan Haskins (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) and Jared Bromberg (So., Rochester, Minn.). Schmidt received a pass from Haskins on the side wall and fired a shot from the slot past the Auggie goalies’ five-hole.
Energized from the game-tying goal, the Gusties drew an Auggie penalty and went on its first power play of the season minutes later. With the Augsburg goalie screened in front, Will LeNeave (Fy., Medina, Minn.) walked the blueline and took a shot low to the ice that slid past Nick Schmit for his first collegiate goal to give Gustavus a 2-1 lead. Caleb Anderson (Fy., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Jake McCann (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.) were credited with assists.
Amsden was leaned on in the third period after Augsburg quickly tied the game at 2-2, scoring just 16 seconds into the third period. The Auggies compiled 15 shots on goal and limited the Gusties to just five in the third period as the two teams headed to overtime, when Nate Flynn tallied his second goal of the game with just 13 seconds remaining in the OT period to give Augsburg a 3-2 victory.
The Gusties were successful during four penalty kills, while going 1-for-2 on the man advantage. Amsden notched 33 saves in net as Augsburg out shot Gustavus 36-19.
Gustavus concludes play at the MIAC Showcase tomorrow evening, taking on Concordia College at 7 p.m.