MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University secured a 3-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's hockey victory over Saint Mary's University (13-9-2, 9-5-1) on Friday night. The game marked the final home contest at Ed Saugestad Rink for eight Auggie seniors -- Nick Catalano, Jake Hale, Peyton Hanson, Mason Hendrickson, Kyler Kleven, Josh Koziol, James Miller, and Cade Stibbe. Augsburg's defense held firm in the third period, maintaining the lead despite being outshot 42-41 overall.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 3, Saint Mary's 2
LOCATION: Ed Saugestad Rink, Minneapolis
RECORDS: Augsburg 7-14-3 overall (4-9-2 MIAC), Saint Mary's 13-9-2 overall (9-5-1 MIAC)

GAME RECAP
Augsburg quickly asserted itself in the first period, with both teams vying for control. Augsburg struck first with Landon Parker finding the net at the 7:04 mark, assisted by Peyton Hanson. With a goal and assist on Friday, Parker has now recorded a goal or assist in 10 of his 14 games played this season. Saint Mary's responded at the 11:47 mark with a goal by Carter Newpower. Augsburg regained the lead late in the period when Max Giblin scored  the 19:06 mark, assisted by Parker and Hanson.

The second period saw Saint Mary's take advantage of a power play when Ryan Berglund scored at the 14:34 mark, assisted by Colin Tushie and Jack Campion. Augsburg regained momentum with a critical goal from Hanson at 15:45, assisted by Nick Catalano and Zachary Reim, breaking the tie and putting Augsburg ahead 3-2. With a goal and two assists, Hanson now leads the team with 14 goals and 29 points. It was his ninth multi-point game of the season. The period was marked by multiple penalties, but both teams managed to keep their defensive lines strong. Augsburg's defensive play was pivotal, with goalie Koziol making several key saves to maintain the lead. The period concluded with Augsburg holding a 3-2 advantage, as Saint Mary's pressed with a late power play but failed to convert.

In the third period, Augsburg maintained its narrow lead over Saint Mary's to secure the victory. Koziol was instrumental, making multiple saves, including stopping shots from Carter Newpower and Joona Juntunen. Appearing in the 14th game of his college career, Koziol had 40 saves to earn his first collegiate victory. Saint Mary's pulled its goalie with just over two minutes remaining, but Augsburg's defense, led by blocked shots from Hanson and Nolan Nenow, held firm. The period concluded with a series of missed opportunities and blocked shots, as Augsburg preserved its one-goal margin.

AUGSBURG PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Peyton Hanson: 1 goal, 2 assists, +3 rating
• Landon Parker: 1 goal, 1 assist, 10 faceoff wins
• Max Giblin: 1 goal, +3 rating
• Josh Koziol: 40 saves

SAINT MARY'S PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
• Ryan Berglund: 1 power-play goal, 4 shots on goal
• Carter Newpower: 1 goal, +1 rating
• Adam Prokop: 38 saves

UP NEXT
• Augsburg closes its 2025-26 season on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., facing Saint Mary's in Winona, Minn.