FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Augustana hockey team dropped a Saturday night affair to Alaska Fairbanks inside the Carlson Center by a score of 2-1. In a penalty-riddled game, the Nanooks scored a power-play goal in the third period to secure their win. 

The Nanooks took an early 1-0 lead in the first period as Kyle Gaffney netted a back-door tap-in from Braden Birnie. Alaska Fairbanks continued its momentum throughout the frame with 13 shots on goal and drew two power play opportunities. Josh Kotai made 12 saves to keep the Vikings to within one while both teams won eight faceoffs each. 

In a penalty-filled second period for the Nanooks, Augustana took advantage with multiple scoring chances. The Nanooks were hit with four penalties, including a five-minute major and a double minor. Augustana found the back of the net with 5:57 remaining in the second period as Payton Matsui deked through a defenseman and found Quinn Rudrud wide open in front for his third of the season. After 40 minutes of play, Augustana edged Alaska Fairbanks in shots on goal, 22-19. 

Augustana went on the penalty kill early in the third period after Will Svenddal was called for a two-minute minor. After a successful kill, Callum Gau was hit with a two-minute minor to force Augustana back on the kill. The Nanooks took advantage of the back-to-back man-advantages with a power play goal from Chase Dafoe to make it a 2-1 game. The penalty trouble continued for Augustana in the third period as the Nanooks kept the momentum and walked away with a 2-1 win over the Vikings. 

Game Moments

• Brady Ziemer played in his 100th career game. 
• Josh Kotai made 24 saves on 26 shots. 
• Augustana killed off 10 penalty minutes including six in the third period.
• The Nanooks' penalty kill unit went 6-6. 
• Augustana edged out the Nanooks in shots on goal, 30-26.
• Rudrud recorded his third goal of the season. 
• Matsui tallied his ninth assist on the season. 
• Owen Bohn collected a secondary assist on Augustana's lone goal for his 10th point of the season. 

Goals

• Kyle Gaffney opened up the scoring in Saturday's game as he netted a back door tap-in to give the Nanooks an early 1-0 lead. 
• Matsui dished a cross-ice pass over to Rudrud who delivered his third goal of the season in the second period to tie the game at 1-1. 
• Alaska Fairbanks regained its lead in the third period on the power play as Dafoe found the back of the net.

Up Next
Augustana continues its 10-day trip in Alaska as it heads to Anchorage to face the University of Alaska Anchorage in a weekend series. Puck drop is slated for Thursday, Dec. 12, at 10:07 p.m. (cst.) and Friday, Dec. 13, at 10:07 p.m. (cst.).