SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana hockey (10-15-3) collected its second series sweep of the season against St. Thomas (13-14-1, 11-7 CCHA) by a score of 2-1 as Arnaud Vachon scored the overtime winner in its inaugural season presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard.

Augustana jumped out to an early lead as Callum Gau ripped in a rebounded shot from within the slot off passes from Will Howard and Ryan Naumovski. Gau's early-period goal is his second of the season. The Vikings controlled a majority of passion throughout the opening frame as they took the 1-0 lead into the locker room. 

UST found momentum at the start of the second period as Tim Piechowski scored his second of the season from in front of the net. The Tommies' momentum was killed five total penalties were called throughout the remainder of the period. 

Both teams jockeyed for the go-ahead goal but Kayden Hargraves and Aaron Trotter stood tall between the pipes to keep things square at 1-1. Hargraves came up big with just over four minutes remaining in the third as he snatched a shot from the slot. The Tommies took a late-period penalty but Augustana couldn't find the back of the net. 

As overtime began, Augustana started on the penalty kill as Vachon was pinged with a two-minute minor for holding at the end of the third. St. Thomas found a slew of offensive chances but a strong penalty kill from the Vikings swindled any momentum the Tommies tried to have. As the Vikings penalty ended, Augustana's offensive was energized by the fans as Owen Bohn found Vachon skating into the offensive zone and passed the rubber onto his blade; Vachon muscled his way through a Tommies' defender and shelved the puck over Trotter for the overtime winner. 

Game Moments

• Kayden Hargraves' 38-save performance moved him to 4-1 on the season as he rides a three-game winning streak. 
• Hayden Hennen and Jeff Hutchinson blocked a game-high three shots each as the Vikings blocked 15 in total. 
• Callum Gau scored the opening goal and was 75 percent on the faceoff dot. 
• Vachon led the Vikings in shots on goal with seven, including the game-winner. 

Goals

• Callum Gau found himself open in the slot to put away a rebound in the early moments of the first period. Will Howard and Ryan Naumovski collected assists. 
• Tim Piechowski put away the lone St. Thomas goal out in front of the net off a missed shot from Quinton Pepper. 
• Arnaud Vachon sealed the game with an overtime winner off a pass from Owen Bohn. 

Up Next
Augustana hits the road once again for another CCHA series as it faces Lake Superior in a Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17 matchup.