Men's Hockey 12/8/06 -- Augsburg 5, Bethel 1

BOXSCORE

FRIDLEY, Minn. (12/8/06) -- Behind a goal and assist apiece from Critter Nagurski * (Sr., International Falls, Minn.), Chris Johnson (Fr., Verona, Wis./Madison Memorial HS) and A.J. Hau (Fr., Fort Collins, Colo.), the Augsburg College men's hockey team scored a 5-1 victory over host Bethel University on Friday night in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action at Columbia Arena. Augsburg scored five straight goals to end Bethel's three-game winning streak.

The Royals jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, as Brad Peterson (So., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) scored from Kyle Dynan (Fr., Maple Plain, Minn./Orono HS) less than five minutes into a frenetic, back-and-forth first period. Augsburg's Nagurski would answer a few minutes later, however, to tie the score at 1-1. Hau was credited with the assist.

In the second period, the Auggies took over scoring three goals starting with Johnson's goal off of a deflected shot from Shawn Bakke (Sr., New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) with 7:09 remaining. Greg May (Sr., Burnsville, Minn.) added to the lead a few minutes later from Nagurski and Chad Georgell * (Sr., North Pole, Alaska/Fairbanks Lathrop HS). Hau snuck in a fourth goal on a three-on-one break with barely a minute to play in the period. Kellen Chamblee (So., Falcon Heights, Minn./Roseville HS) received assists.

The Royals managed several strong possessions in the third period, but couldn't get the puck in the net. Augsburg's offense continued to click, meanwhile, as they scored the final goal of the game when the puck popped over the net from the boards behind and Aaron Johnson * (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) was there to put it home.

Bethel had the edge in shots on goal 34-29 but were 0-2 on power play opportunities. Dustin Thompson (Sr., Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) finished with 24 saves for the Royals while Andy Kent (So., Lakeville, Minn.) had an outstanding game for Augsburg, stopping 33 shots.

The Royals now fall to 4-5 overall and 2-1 in MIAC play, while Augsburg improves to 3-5-3 and 2-0-3 in the MIAC. The two teams will square off again tomorrow night at Augsburg Arena with a 7 p.m. start.