Augsburg downs Men's Hockey in non-conference action

MEQUON, Wis. – Augsburg College used two first-period goals and strong goaltending from Fredrik Melander to down the Concordia University Wisconsin Men's Hockey team in non-league play Friday night at the Ozaukee Ice Center. The Auggies added a third-period score to defeat the Falcons 3-1.

Melander was a big reason Augsburg, a team receiving votes in the latest USCHO.com poll, as he stopped 27 of 28 shots he faced. Melander recorded 12 saves in the final period, including several in the first 11:56 of the final stanza when Augsburg still held just a one-goal lead.

The Falcons lone goal Friday came from freshman Anthony Pickering (Sylvan Lake, Alberta). Pickering has had a nice little home stretch for CUW as he has scored in three of the last four contests at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Freshman Brody Decker (Dousman, Wis.) and junior Trammell Lynes (Edmonton, Alberta) assisted on the Pickering goal.

Augsburg (5-2-0) went up 2-0 before the first intermission thanks to goals from Eli May and Dylan Meier. May got the Auggies on the board 7:21 into play on a score assisted by Will Peterson. Meier then made the score 2-0 with just 1:50 left in the period on a power play goal. The Auggies converted on 1-of-4 chances with the man advantage, while CUW's normally potent power play attack was held scoreless in three tries.

Pickering made the score 2-1 early in the second, but the rest of that period was all about the goalies. Freshman Dylan Frank (Truro, Nova Scotia) stopped all 17 shots he faced in the second frame to keep CUW within one goal. Frank finished the night with 33 saves.

Augsburg would put the finishing touches on the Falcons with 8:04 remaining on a Nate Flynn goal. Meier and Evan Hesse, who finished the night with two assists, added helpers on the night's final goal.

For just the second time this season the Falcons were outshot as AUG totaled 36 compared to 28 for CUW. Neither team spent too much time in the penalty box, the Falcons whistled five times for 10 PIMs, while Augsburg tallied four penalties for eight minutes.

CUW (1-7-0) will be off until next Friday when they visit Bethel for a weekend Thanksgiving Cup showdown. The first game between CUW and Bethel will take place Friday night at 7 p.m.