ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Looking to bounce back from a 5-0 defeat on Friday night, Bethel University men's hockey team skated with the No. 14-ranked Augsburg Auggies all the way down to the wire before falling 3-1 Saturday night at Bethel University Arena. Bethel (0-5) outshot Augsburg (4-1) by a narrow 24-23 margin in the game.

Bethel opened up the scoring just a minute and 53 seconds into the series finale. Austin Langworthy scored his first collegiate goal as junior defensemen Johan Kling picked up the assist. The Auggies responded back taking advantage of a Bethel penalty to net the equalizer during the power play.

The Auggies held a 2-1 lead out of the second intermission as the Royals could not find the back of the net in the third despite outshooting Augsburg 9-5 in the final period. Augsburg avoided the upset after an empty net goal came with 41 seconds remaining.

Curtis Hanson and Nick Ketola led the Royals with three shots a piece while goaltender Olof Djurberg collected 20 saves between the posts.

No. 14 Augsburg 5, Bethel 0
A three-goal first period aided the Augsburg Auggies to defend their home ice Friday evening defeating the Royals 5-0 to open up MIAC play. Goaltender Joe Sheppard had 25 saves between the posts while Michael Piehler and Will Reedy both had a team-leading four shots.

Two early goals in the game, one being on the power play, helped the host Auggies catch an early lead despite the Royals 14 first period shots, seven of which were on goal. Bethel was not able to hold off the No.14-ranked Auggies surrendering goals in the second and third period.

Up next
The Royals continue a six-game homestand hosting Concordia College in a pair of M.I.A.C. games Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 at Bethel University Arena. Puck drop comes at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.