Men's Hockey 12/9/00 -- Augsburg 1, Wisconsin-Eau Claire 0 (FORFEIT)

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STORY UPDATED 12/11/00

MINNEAPOLIS (12/9/00) -- Augsburg College received a forfeit victory in a nonconference men's hockey game with Wisconsin-Eau Claire Saturday night at Augsburg Ice Arena, when the Blugold team left the ice in the third period in protest of officials' calls. According to NCAA rules (Rule 6-39A), the game is a forfeit in favor of the Auggies, with the score 1-0.

Trailing 11-1 with approximately seven minutes left in the third period (According to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rules, once a team reaches a 10-goal lead in the third period, the remainder of the game is played in running time), Blugold team members left the ice and went to the locker room. The Eau Claire squad left the ice after slashing penalties were called on both Augsburg and Eau Claire players with approximately 7:05 left, the 10th penalty of the period called against Eau Claire. Officials gave a delay of game penalty to the bench and let the clock run out with out re-dropping the puck. Eau Claire's coaches remained on the bench until the clock ran out.

However, in a subsequent check of NCAA rules by game officials immediately after the clock ran out, a major penalty for delay of game was assessed to Eau Claire, and a forfeit was awarded to Augsburg. NCAA rules state (Rule 6-39A): "Removal of all or part of a team in protest of a referee's decision shall not be permitted. Penalty -- Forfeit (score shall be 1-0)."

The game shall be credited as a 1-0 Augsburg victory. According to the NCAA, statistics from the game are counted because the game reached "regulation" status; i.e., at least two periods were played before the forfeit was initiated.

Augsburg led 2-1 after the first period, but scored five goals in the second to take a commanding 7-2 lead. Ahead 9-2 after two Auggie power-play goals midway through the third period, Eau Claire's goaltender was pulled in order to have Augsburg score two empty-net markers, forcing the running-time provision with a 10-goal advantage.

The teams combined for 123 minutes of penalties, Augsburg receiving 10 penalties for 31 minutes and Eau Claire receiving 23 penalties for 92 minutes. Included in the barrage of penalties were three game disqualifications (one for Augsburg, two for Eau Claire), six 10-minute misconduct penalties and two major penalties for spearing.

Augsburg returns to nonconference action with a Friday (12/15) contest at Wisconsin-River Falls. Game time is 7 p.m. Eau Claire hosts Wisconsin-River Falls Saturday (12/16) at 7:05 p.m.

Augsburg (5-5-0 overall) def. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (6-6-0) 1-0 by forfeit.