MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Saint Mary's (13-9-2, 9-5-1) dropped a tight 3-2 decision to Augsburg (7-14-3, 4-9-2) on Friday night, but the Cardinals still control their destiny with a win tomorrow that keeps them in the hunt for a conference regular-season championship, or at least a share of the title.

Ryan Berglund delivered on the power play with a second-period goal and finished with four shots on net, while Carter Newpower added a goal of his own on five shots. 

Saint Mary's set the tone early, controlling faceoffs and pace in the opening period. A power-play opportunity midway through the frame, following a tripping penalty to Augsburg's which generated chances but no breakthrough. Augsburg struck first at 12:56, but the Cardinals answered quickly. Newpower buried a feed from Luc Cernohous and Cole Mickel at 8:13 to even the score at 1-1.

The back-and-forth battle continued, but Augsburg regained the lead late in the period just 54 seconds remaining to take a 2-1 advantage into the intermission.

The Cardinals responded in the second. Capitalizing on a power play at 5:26, Berglund found the back of the net off assists from Colin Tushie and Jack Campion to tie the game at 2-2. Augsburg answered shortly after, however, as they restored the lead at 4:15. Despite steady pressure from Saint Mary's, the Auggies carried a 3-2 edge into the third.

Saint Mary's pushed hard in the final frame, opening with strong faceoff wins and sustained offensive pressure. Newpower and Joona Juntunen each generated quality looks, and the Cardinals earned another power play midway through the period but were unable to convert. 

With 2:21 remaining, Saint Mary's pulled the goalie in a final push, yet Augsburg held firm to secure the 3-2 result.

Now, all eyes turn to tomorrow. With a victory, the Cardinals remain firmly in contention for the conference regular-season crown, and potentially a share of the title, setting up a high-stakes finale at home tomorrow for revenge against the Auggies at 7:00 p.m.