ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Augustana hockey team (9-7-1, 5-3 CCHA) skated to a 2-2 tie against Alaska Anchorage (4-11-3) Thursday night in the Avis Alaska Sports Complex. The Vikings won the exhibition shootout with a goal from Tyler Hennen. 

Within the first five minutes of play, both teams saw action on the power play as two quick calls forced special team opportunities. The first period continued with strong back-and-forth play before Augustana controlled possession of the puck to outshoot the Seawolves 9-3. Josh Kotai made back-to-back big-time saves to help transition the momentum offensively. UAA was hit with two more penalties throughout the frame but managed to kill them off. 

Simon Falk broke the deadlock 5:02 into the second period as he netted his second of the season with a shot short-side low past the netminder's blocker. Falk's goal came off passes from Payton Matsui and Uula Ruikka. Less than 20 seconds later, Augustana struck again with Matsui's goal, who banged in the rubber off dishes from Falk and Brett Meerman. The Seawolves cut the Vikings' lead to one as Ryan Johnson fired in the puck from out in front of the net. With 7:01 remaining in the frame, UAA tied the game with a goal from Maximilion Helgeson. 

Augustana opened up the third period with five shots in the first seven minutes. UAA answered back with its momentum but was denied on multiple occasions by Kotai. Joey DelGreco was hit with a two-minute minor, putting Augustana on the penalty kill. After a successful kill from the Vikings where it only allowed one shot on goal, The Vikings got their opportunity on the power play with 1:01 remaining in the third. Augustana fired one shot on goal. 

The overtime consisted of strong opportunities from both teams as the Seawolves found early offensive success but were denied by Kotai. Vikings found momentum late and fired three shots on goal in the final minute of play. The game ended in a 2-2 tie. 

Augustana took the exhibition shootout with a goal from T. Hennen and three big saves from Kotai. 

Game Moments

• Kotai turned away 22 shots and moved to 9-5-1 on the season. 
• Owen Baumgartner made his return to the ice for the first time since Oct. 26. 
• Falk and Matsui collected two points each. 
• Four Vikings recorded points. 
• Hayden Hennen led the team with two blocked shots.

Goals

• Falk broke the deadlock in the early moments of the second period with a shot short-side low past the Seawolves' goaltender. Matsui and Ruikka assisted Falk's second goal of the season
• Matsui pushed the Vikings' lead to two 20 seconds after Augustana's first goal as he drove hard to the net and banged in the rubber for his third of the season. Falk and Meerman collected assists on the goal. 
• UAA cut Augustana's lead to one with a goal from Johnson who ripped in a shot from out in front of the net. 
• Anchorage tied the game with 7:01 remaining in the second period after Helgeson netted a breakaway goal. 

Up Next
Augustana closes out the first half of its season on Friday as it finishes out the two-game series with the Seawolves. Puck drop is slated for 10:07 p.m.