An Auggie shoves defenseman Derek Olmschenk away from the puck and into the boards. Although it was a tough battle, there were no points scored during the first period of Saturday’s game. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Forward Thomas Williams battles an Augsburg player for control of the puck. Williams, a senior and captain, scored 24 points this season, totaling 65 career points. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Forward Tanner Barnes hits a slap shot toward the Auggie’s goal. An Augsburg player knocked Barnes over as he made the shot; his teammate Michael Dockry saved the stray shot and put it in the net for the first goal of the game. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Tommies on the bench cheer wildly for teammate Brett Gavrelle’s goal. Gavrelle scored 13 minutes into the second period, giving the Tommies the advantage. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Forward Michael Dockry battles an Augsburg player for the puck in a face-off. St. Thomas won 30 face-offs and made 33 shots on goal, but Augsburg won 32 face-offs and made only 32 shots on goal. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Defenseman Charlie Donlin tries to get the puck from Augsburg defense near the St. Thomas net. Donlin scored one goal Saturday night; he has scored five goals this season, three of which were game-winning goals. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
An Augsburg defender falls as Thomas Williams and Michael Dockry, forwards, fight for the puck. The Auggies came back during the third period, scoring two points; St. Thomas scored its only two points during the second period. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Forward Brett Gravelle and defenseman Charlie Donlin bow in defeat after Augsburg’s third period comeback. St. Thomas (14-8-5) lost the MIAC Championship playoff game 3-2 to Augsburg (17-4-6), Saturday night at St. Thomas Arena. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Augsburg forward Corbin Chapman scored the winning goal with 5:45 left in the third period Saturday night at St. Thomas Arena, giving the Auggies a 3-2 victory over St. Thomas in the MIAC championship game.
The victory advanced the Auggies into the NCAA Division III playoffs.
After neither team scored in the first period, St. Thomas senior Michael Dockry scored the game’s first goal 3:06 into the second period with an assist from Tanner Barnes. With 8:28 gone from the period, Chapman scored on a power play to tie the game. At the 13-minute mark, St. Thomas first-year Brett Gravelle scored a power-play goal, with assists from Johnny Panvica and D.J. Jones, putting the Tommies ahead 2-1 heading into the third period.
Less than a minute into the third period, Augsburg’s Max Pernhem scored to tie the game at 2-2. Chapman followed with the winning goal.
In the third period, the Tommies were unable to get the puck by Augsburg goalie Nick Schmit, who stopped 31 of 33 shots. St. Thomas goalie Benjamin Myers posted 29 saves.
Coach Jeff Boeser, reflecting on the Tommie’s season after the game, said he thought the Tommies (14-8-5) would not get an at-large bid into NCAA Division III tournament play while the Auggies (17-4-6) earned the MIAC’s automatic bid.
“We don’t have enough wins,” Boeser said. “It’s over.”
Putting playoff hopes aside, Boeser praised his team’s effort.
“I’m proud of my guys,” Boeser said. “They left it all on the rink.”
St. Thomas will graduate eight seniors this year. Boeser thanked them for the contributions they have made to the program, and said he is looking forward to next season.
Benton Johnson can be reached at bcjohnson@stthomas.edu