Saint John's (4-5-1, 1-3-0 MIAC) returns to conference play against Augsburg (4-3-1, 0-1-1 MIAC) this weekend. The Johnnies host the first of a two-game series at 7 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 4, at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. SJU then travels to face Augsburg for a 7:05 p.m. contest on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Augsburg Ice Arena in Minneapolis. – Listen Live (Both Games) | SJU Live Stats (Dec. 4) | Augsburg Live Video (Dec. 5) | Augsburg Directions
Preview Video:
-Head Coach Doug Schueller (3:35)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: The Johnnies split a pair of games in Adrian, Mich., last weekend. SJU dropped a 6-2 decision to No. 5 Adrian, despite outshooting the Bulldogs 33-31. The Johnnies, however, only converted just one of its power-play opportunities and allowed three power-play goals on four chances. Seniors Jake Koehler (Ramsey, Minn.) and Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.) scored for Saint John's, while sophomore Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 26 saves in the loss. SJU took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play with 5:07 remaining to defeat Buffalo State (N.Y.) 5-4 the following afternoon. With a 4-3 lead late in the third period, Buffalo State took a pair of two-minute minor penalties at the 14:53 mark. Senior Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.) scored his second power-play goal of the game to tie it at 4-4 with 43 seconds left on the 5-on-3 advantage. Freshman Michael Palmiscno (East Grand Forks, Minn.) then netted the game-winner 32 seconds later. Earlier in the game, Gilbert scored to tie the game 1-1 seven seconds into the second period and junior Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.) added a power-play goal seven minutes later. Freshman Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) increased SJU's lead to 3-1 with a shorthanded goal, his second of the season, at the 14:07 mark of the second period. Senior Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) made 26 stops to improve his record to 3-2-1 on the season.
A LOOK AT THE AUGGIES: The Auggies are 4-3-1 overall and 0-1-1 in the MIAC coming into this weekend's series. Senior Chris Johnson leads Augsburg with nine points (5g/4a), while sophomore Nick Guran (3g/4a) and junior Joel Sauer (2g/5a) are tied with seven points apiece. Three different goaltenders have started two games or more so far this season for the Auggies, and have a combined 1.98 GAA and a .932 save percentage. Freshman Justin Lochner is 2-1-1, while freshman Nate Pellegrino and sophomore Jon Zitur are both 1-1-0.
LAST SEASON'S SERIES: SJU recorded a pair of one-goal victories, 3-2 and 2-1, against Augsburg last season. Seven current Johnnies recorded a point in the series, which was far from spectacular on special teams. SJU converted just one of its 10 power-play opportunities and allowed just one goal on the Auggies 17 opportunities with the man advantage. The Johnnies have won 13 of the last 15 meetings.
SHORTIES: The Johnnies have scored three shorthanded goals during 57 penalty-kill opportunities so far this season. SJU failed to score a single shorthanded tally in 152 penalty-kill opportunities in 2008-09.
