PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The Augustana hockey team completed the weekend sweep Saturday night in exhibition play, defeating the United States National Team Development Program in the final 30 seconds of action, 3-2. Hunter Bischoff sealed the deal for Augustana with a shot past the goaltender's glove. 

Augustana netted the first goal of the game seven minutes into play. Brett Meerman broke into the offensive zone and fired a wrist shot glove side to make it a 1-0 game in favor of the Vikings. Meerman was assisted by Hayden Hennen and Evan McIntyre. The USNTDP flipped Augustana's momentum 18:11 into play as Jake Stuart tied the game. Both teams skated to the locker rooms in a deadlock. 

After Simon Falk fired the rubber over Joey Slavick outstretched pad, Augustana regained the lead with just over five minutes to play in the second period. The Vikings' go-ahead goal was off of a two-on-one set up by Colton Friesen and Owen Bohn. Augustana led 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. 

Augustana maintained its momentum throughout 17 minutes of play in the third period before the Development Program pulled Slavick to give itself a six-on-five advantage. The USNTDP man advantage paid off, as Will Moore evened the game off passes from Jack Murtagh and Conrad Fondrk. In the final minute of play, Bischoff sealed the weekend sweep with 30 seconds remaining in the final frame with a shot past the glove of Slavick. 

Game Moments

• Christian Manz manned the net for Augustana and turned away 28 of 30 shots. 
• Seven Vikings tallied points in Saturday's win.
• Meerman totaled a team-high two points.
• Uula Ruikka led the Vikings with four shots on goal.

Goals

• Meerman opened up the contest with a wrist shot past the goaltender's glove to take an early 1-0 lead. Hennen and McIntyre collected assists.
• Stuart tied the game for the Development Program.
• Falk regained Augustana's lead with a shot over the pad of Slavick. Friesen and Bohn garnered assists on the go-ahead goal.
• Moore pushed momentum into the USNTDP's offense as he tied the game with 2:29 remaining in the frame.
• Bischoff sealed the Vikings' win with 30 seconds remaining in the third with a shot over the glove of Slavick. Meerman tallied an assist on the goal.

Up Next
Augustana returns to action next weekend as it remains in Michigan to face CCHA foe Ferris State in conference play. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m. (CST) on Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5:07 p.m. (CST).