Men's Hockey 3/1/02 -- MIAC Playoff Semifinals -- Gustavus 4, Augsburg 2 

BOXSCORE

Story from St. Mary's University Sports Information

BLAINE, Minn. (3/1/02) -- Jerod Kleva and Tom Awailjane scored less than two minutes apart and the Gustavus Adolphus College men's hockey team held off a third-period Augsburg College rally, en route to a 4-2 win Friday night and a berth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's hockey tournament championship game at the Schwan's Super Rink.

After trading first-period goals, the Gusties used goals by Kleva and Awaijane to grab a 3-1 advantage heading into the third period. Augsburg wasted little time pulling to within one as Jaro Cesky (Jr., Prague, Czech Republic) scored 41 seconds into the final stanza.

With Gustavus goalie Dan Melde doing his part, stopping 11 of Augsburg's 12 third-period shots, the Gusties got some breathing room as Sam Johnson scored a short-handed goal at the 16:56 mark.

Melde finished with 30 saves, as did Augsburg goalie Peter Samargia (Jr., Gilbert, Minn./Eveleth-Gilbert HS).

In Saturday's championship game, the Gusties will be looking to avenge a pair of one-goal losses to the Tommies on Nov. 9-10. With the win, Gustavus (14-8-4) pushed its unbeaten streak to eight (6-0-2), while Augsburg ends its season at 14-9-3.