Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Royal hockey is back. There is work yet to do, but after dropping the first game of the season, 4-0, Bethel has plenty of time to get on track. The game opened up the MIAC Hockey Showcase and while the Royals out shot Augsburg, the scoreboard was in the Auggies' favor throughout.

The first goal was scored by Augsburg's Joel Sauer, assisted by Chris Johnson and David Hines. The goal was scored on a power play at 6:14 in the first period. The score remained 1-0 through first intermission, and the Royals had two separate 5-on-3 power plays in the second period, but were unable to capitalize. Just 18 seconds after returning to full strength, the Auggies struck again, with Johnson scoring at 11:22, assisted by Nikki Holt and Tyler Antony.

The third goal for Augsburg was scored by Holt, at 19:21 in the second period, assisted by Antony. The score was 3-0 going into the second intermission, but the Royals led in shots, 22 to 20. Bethel had three power plays in the third period before the fourth and final goal was scored by the Auggies' Trevor Doden, with the assists going to Johnson and Sauer.

The story of the game was special teams. The Royals were 0-8 on the power play while the Auggies managed to score on their first power play, along with effectively stifling Bethel on the penalty kill for much of the game. Overall, the Royals out shot Augsburg 34 to 32 and were consistently on the attack, but were unable to put the puck in the net.

Jack Paul (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.) led Bethel with six shots, Jake Kogler (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) won 21 of 27 face-offs and Aaron Damjanovich (Sr., Remer, Minn.) made 28 saves for the Royals. Johnson, Holt and Chris Slavik each had a plus-three rating to lead Augsburg, while Justin Lochner made 34 saves for the shut out.

Bethel plays again tomorrow, against Gustavus Adolphus College, starting at 8 p.m., at the Bloomington Ice Garden.