Jacob Willis, contributor 

The Augsburg Mens and Womens Hockey teams’ contest against the Gustavus Gusties provided both highlights and lowlights, as both Auggie teams came away with a series split. 

In perhaps their biggest game of the season so far, the women’s team pulled off a massive upset of Gustavus on Friday, Jan. 20. In a back and forth affair, the Auggies took down the top-ranked Gusties in overtime. Despite a slow start by the Auggies, they were able to grab a 2-1 lead going into the third period. Gustavus stormed back however, tying the game at 2 in the waning moments of the third period. The Auggies stood strong though and finished the job in overtime on a goal by first-year defenseman Nora Stepan. This was the first loss in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (MIAC) play for the Gustavus women’s team all season. 

The Augsburg Mens Hockey team also picked up a win on Friday, Jan. 20, beating the Gusties comfortably by a score of 4-1. This win should come as no surprise to anyone, as the Gustavus men’s team has been less than impressive so far this season. What did come as a surprise, however, was the upset the Gusties earned over the Auggies the following night. Gustavus came out strong, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead by the second period. A shocked and silent Auggie student section was something you’ll rarely see at an Augsburg hockey game, but Saturday night was the exception. In true Auggie hockey fashion, the boys came storming back, and ended up tying the game at three apiece. Unfortunately, the Auggies fell short in the end, losing 4-3 in a nail biting finish. 

This was the first MIAC win of the season for the Gusties men’s team, snapping an overall 22-game conference losing streak. This was also the first home loss the Auggies have suffered all season. Either way, both squads had great performances, and any true hockey fan can appreciate the high level of play showcased in this game. 

The Augsburg Womens Hockey team entered the national rankings at 15th as a result of their upset victory over Gustavus. Meanwhile, it’s also a very exciting time for the Auggie men, as their next series against Saint John’s featured the first ever outdoor MIAC hockey game as part of the annual Hockey Day Minnesota festivities. Stream and stats are available online on the Augsburg athletics website.