SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana hockey's inaugural season is presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard as it rings in the New Year with a pair of matches against Big 10 opposition Notre Dame.

About The Game
Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the app store or Google Play.
 
The Saturday, Sunday series is set for 4 p.m. (CST) and 4 p.m. (CST) inside the Compton Family Ice Center. Both games will be streamed on Peacock TV.

The Fighting Irish
Notre Dame (8-8-2, 4-4-2) come into the series on a three-game skid after splitting with the University of Michigan before getting swept by Michigan State. 

The Fighting Irish will be without Danny Nelson this weekend as he is suiting up for the red, white and blue in the U20 World Junior Championships. The freshman forward has accumulated 14 points by way of three goals and 11 assists. A 2023 NHL second round draft pick by the New York Islanders has been a staple in ND's lineup throughout the season. 

Notre Dame has seven NHL draft picks throughout its lineup including leading goal scorer Landon Slaggert whose draft rights belong to the Chicago Blackhawks. The senior forward has 12 goals and four assists for 16 points. 

The Vikings
The Vikings recorded 34 blocked shots in the weekend split against Alaska Fairbanks on Dec. 15-16. Jeff Hutchinson soaked a team-high five blocked shots with three in Saturday night's win.

Kayden Hargraves made his collegiate debut in a relief effort in the Vikings' 5-2 loss Friday, Dec. 15. Hargraves made 20 saves and was given the nod in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win where he made 26 saves.

Evan McIntyre has been a staple on the backend for head coach Garrett Raboin as he is off to a career season. The junior defenseman has recorded two goals in the last three games and has tallied a career-high seven points.

Luke Mobley leads the Vikings with 12 points by way of four goals and eight assists. The junior assistant captain spent the last three seasons with Clarkson in the ECACH where he recorded 22 points.

Colton Friesen has been on a heater in the last three games, as he's tallied five points by way of one goal and four assists. Friesen came to Augustana after spending last season in the Division III ranks with the University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

One Last Thing
Garrett Raboin, in his first season as head coach will not be behind the bench for this weekend's series as he is serving as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships, Dec. 26 - Jan. 5, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Raboin, who will be in Plymouth this week for the team's training camp is joined by David Carle (Denver), Brett Larson (St. Cloud State), Steve Miller (University of Minnesota), David Lassonde (USA Hockey) and Travis Culhane (Denver). Assistant coach Taylor Nelson will serve as the Vikings' acting head coach against the University of Notre Dame.