UW-Stevens Point wins NCAA men’s hockey overtime marathon

STEVENS POINT, Wis.— University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point defeated Augsburg University (Minn.) 2-1 in four overtimes — the second-longest Division III game ever — in the first round of NCAA Division III men’s hockey at KB Willett Arena on March 11.

The crowd also saw No. 6 UW-Stevens Point (20-5-4) set a program record with 74 shots on goal, the highest single-game total in school history.

In the first period, 15th ranked Augsburg (16-10-2) got on the board first at the 13:11 mark. Erik Palmqvist tallied the power play goal, which is only the sixth power play goal the Pointers have scored all season.

The Pointers even scored on a Cody Moline goal at 9:45 of the second period. His fifth of the season was assisted by Mick Heneghan and David Hill.

From there, both UW-Stevens Point goalie Ryan Wagner and Augsburg goalie Samuel Vyletelka put on a clinic. Vyletelka made 13 saves in the third period, Wagner four and the game went to overtime.

In the first overtime, Wagner stopped eight shots, including a sack, just 3:44 into the first overtime. Vyletelka made seven saves and moved the game to the second overtime.

UW-Stevens Point outscored the Auggies 12-5 in the second overtime period, but neither team had any gains, sending the game into a third overtime, the longest game in UW-Stevens Point history at the time.

The situation was fairly even in the third overtime, when both goalkeepers saved 11 times and pushed the game into the fourth overtime tied at 1-1.

When the first minute passed, the game tied for the second-longest in Division III history, and yet the game continued. Wagner made four saves in the fourth overtime, as did Vyletelka, but he missed a rebound on his fourth save. Hill dived and fired past him for the game-winner at 9:28 of the fourth overtime period. Moline and Isaac Moberg had the game’s assists.

Wagner had 47 saves in the win, a career high for the senior. Vyletelka had 72 saves, the most ever by a UW-Stevens Point opponent.

The Pointers advance to the quarterfinals at Adrian College (Mich.) (23-4-2) on March 18. Puck drop time is 7pm (Eastern).

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