Augsburg defeats CSB in first round of the MIAC tournament

After a record-breaking season, the St. Ben’s hockey team ended their season with a 5-2 loss in Minneapolis against the second-seeded Augsburg Auggies last Saturday. The third-seeded Bennies got out to a hot start, scoring the first two goals of the game. First-year Sami Hackley netted the game’s first goal, a power play goal seven minutes and 19 seconds into the game. Just 30 seconds later, sophomore defenseman Jenna Timm scored her sixth goal of the season to give the Bennies a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, that would be the final goal of the season for St. Ben’s as Augsburg netted a goal with 3:40 left in the opening period. The Auggies went on to score twice in both the second and third periods to give them the victory and a spot in next Saturday’s championship game against top-seeded Gustavus. Although the season did not end the way the Bennies had hoped, they ended a streak of 21 seasons of posting a .500 or below record and made their first playoff appearance, aside from the 2021-22 season where every team made the playoffs. The last time they made the playoffs was the 2001-02 season, when they made it in as a five seed.

“The season went really well overall,” senior forward Emily Lemker said. “I think we were all proud of the work we put in over the months and the way we ended the regular season going into playoffs.”

The Bennies ended the season with a 14-12 record, which tied the program record for most wins in a season with the 1999-00 team that went 14-12-1. The 11-7 MIAC record also set a record for most conference wins in a season, while the No. 3 seed in the MIAC playoffs was the highest seed earned in program history.

“I think that we understood what it takes to get to where we got and what it takes to continue on to that MIAC championship game,” senior goaltender Ally Frantzick said. “I think that’s a proud moment we all will take with us, especially for the returners next season.”

As of now, it looks unlikely that Lemker will use her extra COVID year, but there is a possibility Frantzick could return in net for CSB next season.

“There’s a chance I could take advantage of my fifth year,” Frantzick said. “But I haven’t put a ton of thought into it just yet. I have applied to graduate schools, and I’m still waiting to hear back, so my future is up in the air as of now.”

Going into the 2023-24 season, the CSB hockey team is hoping to retain much of the same team from this year as the team’s senior class only consisted of Frantzick and Lemker. The Bennies should have the depth to replace the two seniors with 14 other forwards and three other goaltenders rostered with the ability to recruit.

“I am definitely going to take the friendships and memories I have made with me,” Lemker said. “I am going to miss seeing the team every day and going to the rink to have fun. I am going to appreciate and take all the fun memories with me after I graduate.”