Augsburg scored five goals in the first 11 minutes of play Saturday night, and needed every one as the Auggies held off a pesky Hamline squad in a 6-4 victory in a MIAC game at the Augsburg Ice Arena.
Brad Holzinger scored twice to lead the Auggies, who improved to 8-9-2 and 5-4-1 in the MIAC with the victory. Hamline dropped to 9-10-0 and 2-8-0 in the MIAC. Augsburg completed the series sweep of the Pipers, having beaten Hamline 7-5 on Friday night.
With goals from Mike Jackson, Joe Johnson and Joe Pontrelli in the first 3:09, combined with goals from Jake Wegscheider and Wegscheider in a 47-second span midway through the first period, it appeared that an Auggie rout was imminent.
However, Hamline regrouped, changed goalies twice, and got back into the game with two goals in the closing minutes of the first period and two power-play tallies in the second period. Peter Contardo had two goals for the Pipers, in the middle of goals from Troy Urdahl and Nate Cary to cut into the Auggie lead.
Holzinger scored his second goal of the game on a 4-on-4 situation midway through the second period, an important insurance goal for the Auggies.
Hamline outshot the Auggies by a 39-38 margin, peppering Auggie goalie Ryan McIntosh with 17 shots on goal in the second period and 14 in the third.
The Auggies knocked two Hamline goalies out of the game in the first period, and Andy Gross played the bulk of the game in the nets for the Pipers.
Joe Johnson had a goal and assist for the Auggies, while Shawn Smith had two assists.
