Joe Johnson and Brad Keogh had a goal and assist each, leading Augsburg to its seventh straight win, 5-4 over Bethel in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game Saturday night at the Augsburg Ice Arena.
Augsburg took a 3-0 first-period led and held a 5-2 advantage after two periods, then held on as Bethel scored two goals in the third period to make it a close game.
Augsburg is now 13-7-3 overall and 9-4-1 in MIAC play, has an eight-game unbeaten streak and is 8-1-2 in its last 11 games. Bethel drops to 6-17-0 and 2-12-0 in MIAC play, losing its fourth straight game.
Keogh, Jake Wegscheider and Patrick Hook scored goals for the Auggies in the first 9:38 of the first period for a commanding lead.
But Bethel cut the lead with two goals in a 1:20 span in the second period, with David Vidmar and Kris Birch putting the puck past Augsburg goalie Peter Samargia.
Augsburg increased its advantage back to three goals with two goals in a 1:31 span late in the second frame, with Johnson and Joe Pontrelli scoring.
Bethel cut the lead to one with two goals in the first 3:41 of the third period. Josh Hauge scored an unassisted goal, then Bryan Peltier scored. Augsburg held on to the one-goal advantage through the third period for the win, killing one power play.
Samargia made 27 saves to score the win, as Augsburg outshot Bethel by a 37-31 margin. Jeff Hall made 32 saves in a losing effort.
Both teams complete the MIAC regular season with series next weekend. Augsburg faces conference leader St. Thomas in a two-game series Friday and Saturday, Friday’s game at 7 p.m. at the Augsburg Ice Arena, and Saturday’s game at 7 p.m. at the State Fair Coliseum. Bethel closes its season with a series against St. John’s, with Thursday’s game at 7 p.m. at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn., and Friday’s game at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Ice Arena in Fridley, Minn.
