MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Saint Mary's men's hockey team's (11-13-1) season ended in a heartbreaking loss on the road Saturday night at Augsburg (8-16-1). The Auggies eliminated the Cardinals playoff hopes with a 5-3 victory.

In the team's final game, Markus Andrews led the Cardinals with a noteworthy performance, scoring one goal on two shots. Warner Young also contributed significantly, scoring a goal on four shots, including a power-play goal. Gabe Potyk matched his teammates' efforts, finding the net once from two shots. 

The first period began with the Cardinals gaining an early advantage as Laudon Poellinger won the opening faceoff, setting a competitive tone. Augsburg capitalized on a power play opportunity at 11:12 with a goal to take an early lead. Saint Mary's responded with Andrews scoring at 4:23, assisted by Ryan Berglund and Marc Fletemeyer, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 by the end of the period.

The Cardinals began the second period with control, winning the initial faceoff and quickly capitalizing on a power-play opportunity at 18:33 when Young scored with assists from Tommy Wright and Fletemeyer, tying the game at 2-2. 

After Augsburg took a 3-2 lead, Saint Mary's responded at 6:47 with a goal by Potyk, assisted by Nathan Solis, leveling the score once more. Despite several missed attempts during the period, the team maintained pressure and concluded the period tied at 3-3 with Augsburg.

In the crucial third period, the Cardinals began with several attempts on goal, as Berglund and Solis each took early shots, but were stopped by Augsburg's defense. The Auggies capitalized on a power play at 12:10, the game-winning goal. 

Late in the period, Saint Mary's faced an empty net situation, resulting in an unassisted goal for Augsburg at 00:05, finalizing the game at 5-3.

The Cardinals had the opportunity to extend their season with a win or an overtime finish, but unfortunately fell short on the road.