SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Zach Rose earned the first shutout in program history as Augustana hockey (11-16-3) bounced back to defeat Lake Superior State (13-17-1) 3-0 on Saturday night inside Taffy Abel Arena by a score of 3-0. The first shutout in program history is presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard. 

Augustana jumped to an early lead as Will Howard potted in the rubber from out in front of the net off passes from Hunter Bischoff and Arnaud Vachon. Howard's first-period goal is his third of the season. LSSU caught a break after the Vikings' goal as Quinn Rudrud was sent to the box for a two-minute minor but Augustana held strong on the penalty kill as it killed off the penalty and took a 1-0 lead into the second. 

The Lakers found momentum in the second period as they started firing pucks throughout the offensive zone but Zack Rose stayed strong between the pipes. LSSU edged out the Vikings in shots by eight. 

As the third period raged on, Augustana controlled a majority of possession throughout all three zones. The Vikings took away passing lanes and finished their checks to help take over the final frame. 

With just under five minutes to play in the third, both teams found offensive odd-man breaks. Still, Augustana's leading goal scorer Luke Mobley took control of the game as he broke through the neutral zone and skated past Laker defensemen to slot one past LSSU's netminder and take a 2-0 lead with 1:55 remaining in the period. The Vikings followed up their second goal with an empty netter from Ben Troumbly to seal the 3-0 win to close out their regular season road schedule. 

Game Moments

• Zack Rose recorded the first shutout in program history as he made 30 saves in his first start since Friday, Jan. 26 against Ferris State. 
• Will Howard got the offense going with a first-period goal to take an early 1-0 lead for the Vikings. 
• Luke Mobley continued to find the scoresheet as he netted his 12th goal of the season. 
• Mobley, Arnaud Vachon, Chase Brand, and Colton Friesen went over 50 percent on the faceoff dot. 
• Augustana outshot the Lakers 14-6 in the third period. 

Goals

• Will Howard recorded his third career goal in the first period as he roofed the puck past the Lakers goaltender. Hunter Bischoff and Arnaud Vachon collected assists on the opening goal. 
• Luke Mobley skated into the offensive zone and put the rubber top-shelf as he pushed the Vikings lead to two. Quinn Rudrud and Anthony Stark tallied assists. 
• Ben Troumbly sealed the game with his fifth of the season as he slotted the puck into the empty net. Brady Ziemer was credited with an assist. 

Up Next
Augustana returns to Midco Arena for its first of a three-weekend homestand against Alaska Anchorage. Puck drop is set for Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6:07 p.m. Tickets are still available at GoAugie.com/HockeyTickets