NORTHFIELD, Minn. -- The Augsburg University men's hockey team scored a 3-0 victory at St. Olaf College in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Friday. Stopping all 25 shots he faced, goalie Alex Timmons, a transfer from Framingham State, claimed his first shutout in an Auggie uniform and first of his college career. The victory was secured with two empty-net goals in the final period.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 3, St. Olaf 0
LOCATION: St. Olaf Ice Arena, Northfield, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 6-11-3 overall (3-6-2 MIAC), St. Olaf 8-5-5 overall (4-3-2 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
The Auggies had a strong presence on faceoffs in the first period winning multiple, including key ones by Landon Parker and Noah Grolnic. Despite several attempts on goal, including shots by Nick Catalano, who now has six goals and four assists for 10 points, and Jack Cotter, Augsburg was unable to convert, with each attempt either saved by St. Olaf's Ryan Nolan or blocked by the defense. Augsburg had a significant opportunity to gain the lead during a power play initiated by a tripping penalty on Tony Leahy, but St. Olaf successfully killed the penalty. The period concluded without any goals from either team, leaving the scoreboard at 0-0 as the period ended.

Augsburg took control in the second period with a pivotal moment at 2:53 when Nick Catalano scored an unassisted, even-strength goal, marking his sixth goal of the season. This goal, which ultimately became the game-winning tally, showcased Augsburg's ability to capitalize at a crucial time. Catalano has scored a goal in five of his last eight games. Despite St. Olaf's attempts to equalize, Augsburg's defense and goaltender Timmons held firm, maintaining a 1-0 lead as the period concluded.

Augsburg secured their win with two empty-net goals late in the third period. Conner Schneider, who leads the Auggies with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists), scored the first with 1:27 left, assisted by Catalano, taking advantage of St. Olaf's decision to pull their goalie. Peyton Hanson followed with an unassisted empty-net goal with 42 seconds remaining to ensure Augsburg's lead. Hanson is now tied for the team lead with 11 goals. Despite a series of missed shots and blocked attempts earlier in the period, the Auggies maintained their defensive stance, with Timmons making crucial saves. 

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Landon Parker: 3 shots on goal, 71% faceoff win percentage, 3 blocked shots
• Conner Schneider: 1 goal, +2 rating
• Nick Catalano: 1 goal, 1 assist, 62% faceoff win percentage, +2 rating
• Noah Grolnic: 66% faceoff win percentage, +2 rating
• Alex Timmons: 25 saves

ST. OLAF PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Carl Ericksen: 69% faceoff win percentage, 9 faceoff wins, 2 blocked shots
• Ryan Nolan: 30 saves

UP NEXT
• Looking ahead, Augsburg will host the Oles at Ed Saugestad Rink in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.