SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana hockey team opened up the season with a 4-0 win over Long Island University, Friday night in the season opener at Midco Arena. A three-goal second-period surge by Luke Mobley, Evan McIntyre and Colton Friesen soared the Vikings to victory. 

Josh Kotai opened up the season with his first collegiate shutout after he made 29 saves and was named the player of the game. Tyler Hennen opened up his collegiate debut with two assists on the night. In his first game as a Viking, Payton Matsui collected two assists. 

After a slow first period, Augustana found the back of the net three times in the second period and continued its momentum into the final buzzer to win by a score of 4-0. Eight Vikings tallied points in Friday's affair. 

Both teams shared possession of the puck in the opening 30 minutes of play before Augustana exploded with offensive momentum in the final 10 minutes of the second frame. Mobley lit the lamp first with 7:26 remaining in the second period after a scrum in front of the net with assists from Brett Meerman and T. Hennen. Less than a minute later, an offensive rush from the Vikings led to a shot from the top of the point from McIntyre who pushed Augustana's lead to two. Friesen added his name to the scoresheet with a tap-in shot from outside the crease. 

Four minutes into the third period, Owen Bohn ripped in a shot from the point off past the Sharks goalie. Augustana kept the pressure to secure the 4-0 win over the Sharks. 

Game Moments

• T. Hennen, Easton Young and Joey DelGreco made their collegiate debut in Friday's game. 
• Kotai recorded his first career shutout with 29 saves. It is the third shutout in program history. 
• Matsui collected two assists in his first game with the Vikings. 
• Three Vikings tallied two points each. 
• Meerman and Bohn totaled four shots on goal. 
• Will Svenddal and Brady Ziemer led the Vikings in blocked shots with five each. In total, Augustana blocked 26 shots.

Goals

• After a scrum in front of the net, Mobley slotted in the rubber with assists from T. Hennen and Meerman.
• McIntyre powered in a shot from the top of the circle off an offensive rush from Meerman and Matsui.
• Friesen continued Augustana's momentum with a back door tap-in from Matsui. 
• Owen Bohn put the final nail in the coffin in the third period with a shot over the blocker of the Sharks netminder. T. Hennen and Svenddal tallied assists. 

Up Next
Augustana finishes out the weekend series on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. in Midco Arena. Saturday's game will be youth hockey night and Augustana invites people to skate with the Vikings post-game (equipment not provided, helmets required). The national anthem will be performed by Dr. Russel Svenningsen. 

Flash Sale
Augustana will be running a $20 FLASH SALE FOR Saturday's game. Visit GoAugie.com/Tickets to secure your seat.