MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.--Despite finishing with a 42-23 shots on goal advantage, the Hamline University men's hockey team fell to Augsburg 3-0 in Minneapolis on Saturday night.
The Pipers fall to 6-13, 4-6-0 MIAC, while the Auggies improve to 7-11-1, 3-6-1 MIAC.
Augsburg 3, Hamline 0
The first period saw a flurry of shots from Hamline, but they were unable to capitalize as Augsburg's goalie, Carsen Stokes, made several saves. Augsburg took advantage of a power play opportunity midway through the period, with Nick Catalano scoring the only goal at 9:29, assisted by Landon Parker and Gunnar Williams. The Pipers committed multiple penalties, including a tripping penalty on
Ryan Brandt at 7:41 and an interference penalty on
Jacob Hicks at 8:56, which contributed to Augsburg's power play chances. As the period came to a close, Hamline's
Owen Van Tassel received a penalty for hooking with just eight seconds remaining, giving Augsburg another power play opportunity to start the second period.
The second frame began with Augsburg controlling the faceoff, and it was marked by a series of penalties, with Hamline's
Dallas Duckson receiving a two-minute penalty for hitting from behind at 19:51, leading to an Augsburg power play. Despite several missed shots and saves by Hamline's
Trevor Wong, Augsburg capitalized with a goal by Nick Catalano at 3:28, assisted by Gunnar Williams and Landon Parker, increasing their lead to 2-0. Both teams continued to exchange penalties, with Hamline unable to convert on power play opportunities, despite numerous shots on goal saved by Augsburg's Carsen Stokes. The period concluded with coincidental penalties on Hamline's Tommy Carls for roughing and Augsburg's Gunnar Williams for embellishment as the buzzer sounded.
Hamline's offensive efforts were persistent yet unfruitful in the third period, as they registered numerous shots, including attempts by
Cal Levis III,
Will Matzke, and
Owen Van Tassel, all of which were saved by Carsen Stokes or went wide. Augsburg's defense remained strong, with key blocks from Cade Stibbe and Gunnar Williams. In the closing moments, Augsburg capitalized on Hamline's empty net strategy with a goal from Conner Schneider at 18:40, assisted by Jake Hale and Graham Harris, sealing a 3-0 victory for the home team.
Tommy Carls stood out in faceoffs with a winning percentage of 64%, reflecting his proficiency in that area.
Trevor Wong was active in goal for the Pipers, making 20 saves.
Nick Catalano led the Auggies with two goals, including one game-winning and one power-play tally, and boasted a faceoff win percentage of 71. Conner Schneider contributed one goal and maintained a plus-minus rating of plus two. Landon Parker recorded two assists and exceled in faceoffs, winning 62 percent of his attempts. Peyton Hanson stood out with an 80 percent faceoff win rate. Goalie Carsen Stokes delivered a remarkable performance with 42 saves, keeping the opposition scoreless.
The Pipers will travel to Saint John's on Thursday, January 30 for a 7 p.m. game.
