BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Augustana hockey team (6-6, 3-3 CCHA) bounced back from Friday's loss to secure a weekend split against Ferris State (4-10-2, 3-7 CCHA) on Saturday night by a score of 4-1 in the R.L. Ewigleben Sports Complex. Four different Vikings recorded goals while Josh Kotai turned away 31 shots and moved to 6-4 on the season. 

In a scoreless first period of action, Augustana dominated a majority of possession and kept the pressure in the offensive zone. The Vikings edged out the Bulldogs 10-9 in shots on goal and held Ferris State's power play unit to only one shot. 

Augustana's offensive pressure continued into the second frame as Colton Friesen broke the deadlock on the power play with a one-timer past Noah West. Friesen's third goal of the season came 5:43 into the period off a pass from Joey DelGreco. The momentum continued two minutes later as Nace Langus blocked a Bulldog's shot and skated the length of the ice to pot his first career goal past the blocker of West. Augustana led 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. 

The offensive momentum carried into the final frame as Uula Ruikka buried his first goal of the season from the top of the circle to push Augustana's lead to three. Ferris State pulled its goalie in the final two minutes of action to give itself an extra attacker. With an extra attacker, Gavin Best found the back of the net with 59.2 to bring the game to within two. Augustana held strong in the final seconds of play and converted on the empty basket with Owen Bohn's sixth of the season to seal the weekend split. 

Game Moments

• Langus scored his first career goal and eventually the game-winner in the second period.
• Ruikka found the back of the net for the first time this season. His third-period goal is his 11th career goal.
• Friesen opened up the scoring in the second period on the power play.
• Bohn netted his sixth goal of the season with an empty netter.
• Kotai made 31 saves on 32 shots and moved to 6-4 on the season.
• Payton Matsui led the Vikings in blocked shots with three.
• Brady Ziemer has a team-high five shots.
• Augustana killed off four penalties. 
• Callum Gau went 66.7 percent on the faceoff shot. 
• The Vikings went 12-9 on the faceoff dot in the offensive zone.

Goals

• Friesen broke the deadlock in the second period with his third of the season on the powerplay. DelGreco and Hayden Hennen collected assists.
• Langus scored his first career goal in the second period after he blocked a Bulldog's shot and skated the length of the ice to fire the rubber past West.
• Ruikka recorded his 11th career goal in the third period with a shot from the top of the point. DelGreco and Bischoff tallied assists on Augustana's third goal. 
• Ferris State found the back of the net with 59.2 remaining in the third period. Best fired in a shot from out in front. 
• Bohn sealed the game with an empty netter off a pass from Simon Falk. 

Up Next
Augustana returns to Midco Arena for a weekend conference series against Northern Michigan on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30. Puck drop is slated for 7:07 p.m. and 6:07 p.m. 

Tickets
Single-game tickets for the remaining Augustana hockey season are still on sale. Tickets can be purchased at GoAugie.com/Tickets.