BLAINE, Minn. -- The Augsburg University men's hockey team fell to Bethel University 5–2 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday. Landon Parker scored both goals to lead the Auggies, returning to the lineup this weekend after missing eight games due to injury.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Bethel 5, Augsburg 2
LOCATION: Schwan Super Rink, Blaine, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 5-10-2 overall (2-5-1 MIAC), Bethel 8-6-1 overall (4-2-0 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
The first period commenced with Augsburg's Josh Koziol in goal, facing an early offensive push from Bethel, which resulted in multiple saves. Augsburg gained chances through power plays at 14:19 and 13:01, but they were unable to capitalize, despite shots from Peyton Hanson and Ryan Comishock. Bethel managed to score a short-handed goal at 3:35, with Jeremiah Konkel finding the net, assisted by Luke Lindsey. The period concluded with Bethel leading 1-0.

Bethel extended its lead early in the second period with Logan Anderson scoring at 15:53, assisted by Luke French. Jack Brown widened the gap with a power-play goal at 7:51, benefiting from an assist by Logan Anderson.Augsburg found momentum late in the second period with a crucial power-play goal by Landon Parker at 4:47, assisted by Zachary Reim, narrowing the deficit to 3-1. Parker, who had just returned to the lineup this weekend after missing eight games due to injury, showcased his offensive prowess. Despite several missed opportunities and sustained pressure, Augsburg ended the period trailing 3-1.

Bethel solidified its lead early in the third period with Jack Brown scoring at 11:58, assisted by Tyler Braccini and Spencer Kring, pushing the advantage to 4–1. Augsburg responded quickly when Parker found the net at 9:04, narrowing the gap to 4–2 with help from Cade Stibbe and Mario Gasparini. Augsburg pulled their goalie in the final minutes in an attempt to close the deficit, but Braccini sealed the game for Bethel with an empty-net goal at 2:45, assisted by Tyler Kostelecky and George Peterson. Bethel closed out the period with a 5–2 victory, maintaining their defensive structure and capitalizing on key opportunities.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Landon Parker: 2 goals, 1 power-play goal, 3 shots on goal
• Mason Hendrickson: 60% faceoff win percentage, 1 blocked shot
• Nick Catalano: 58% faceoff win percentage, 10 faceoff wins
• Josh Koziol: 26 saves

BETHEL PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Logan Anderson: 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating
• Jeremiah Konkel: 1 goal, 80% faceoff win percentage
• Jack Brown: 2 goals, 1 power-play goal

UP NEXT
• Up next for the Auggies, they will host Hamline University in the opener of an MIAC series at Ed Saugestad Rink in Minneapolis on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.