Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Saint John's hockey took advantage of late goals in the second and third periods to top No. 8 Augsburg 5-2 on Friday, Jan. 24, in Minneapolis.

Freshman forward Auggie Moore (Edina, Minn.) broke the 2-2 tie for SJU (5-6-5, 2-1-4 MIAC) with what proved to be the game-winning goal, on the power play, with 2:23 left in the second period. He carried the puck up the left wing and snuck a backhander to the near side for his fifth goal of the season.

Sophomore forward Brady Dahl (Rochester, Minn.) added some insurance with a breakaway goal, his fourth tally of the year, with 1:16 remaining and senior forward Kyle Wagner (St. Francis, Minn.) ended the scoring on an empty-netter with 12 seconds left.

Senior goaltender Andrew Lindgren (Minneapolis, Minn.) made 45 saves to improve to 2-5-2 on the season. He made a school-record 86 saves, the third-most in Division III history, the last time he played at the Ed Saugestad Rink (a 2-1 loss, in four overtimes, last March in the MIAC Playoff Championship game).

Jonathan Waring gave the Auggies (11-5-1, 6-2-1 MIAC) an early 1-0 lead, during a 4-on-4, 3:36 into the game.

Senior forward Brady Heppner (Crookston, Minn.), however, tied the game at 1-1 with a shorthanded goal on a breakaway less than two minutes later. The goal was his eighth of the season and his 75th career point (fifth shorthanded tally of his career).

Heppner also added a career-high three assists for four points, the most in a single game since he registered four (2g/2a) in the 5-1 win over Bethel on Oct. 27, 2017, at the MIAC Showcase. 

Freshman forward Jack Johnson (Bemidji, Minn.) gave SJU a 2-1 lead with an odd goal 6:40 into the opening frame. Johnson looked to have scored - as the puck hit the back of the net and ricocheted out just as fast - and the Johnnies celebrated, but the referees did not signal a goal. The referees, however, discussed the play at the next stoppage 1:20 later and awarded the goal.

John O'Connor tied the game for Augsburg 5:30 into the second period on a shot off a faceoff win.

The Auggies' goaltender, Daniil Gerasimov, entered the game second in NCAA Division III in both GAA (1.09) and save percentage (.961), and Augsburg was second as a team in scoring defense (1.31 gpg.). 

SJU is now 5-3 in its last eight trips to Minneapolis.

The Johnnies return home to host the Auggies at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.