SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana hockey (12-17-4) played to a 2-2 tie Friday night as it hosted Alaska Fairbanks (14-14-3) in its first-ever season rematch in its inaugural season presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard. 

Augustana jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period as the Vikings red-hot power play continued its streak with a goal from Hayden Hennen. The freshmen defensemen slotted in the rubber off passes from Ryan Naumovski and Will Howard. Augustana's power play has converted on five of its last 10 power play opportunities. 

With just over a minute remaining in the first period, Augustana's penalty kill was tested as Callum Gau was dinged with a five-minute major and game misconduct. The Vikings prevailed as it recorded five blocked shots and the lone shot on goal from Brian Silver during the entire stretch as it locked down the Nanooks' power play unit throughout the closing minutes of the first and opening minutes of the second. 

Augustana was awarded a power play opportunity shortly after the penalty kill. Still, Alaska Fairbanks changed the momentum of the game as it scored a short-handed goal and followed it up just over a minute later with an even-strength goal to gain its only lead at 2-1. 

The Vikings answered back in the early moments of the third period as the Nanooks were pinged with a delayed penalty; Augustana took advantage of the extra attacker on the ice, and with the extra support, The Vikings found the back of the net as captain Arnaud Vachon tipped in an Owen Bohn shot to tie the game at 2-2. 

Alaska Fairbanks were awarded a penalty shot with just over 12 minutes to play in the game but Josh Kotai stood tall and kept the game square. Both teams exchanged scoring chances but the game needed to be settled in overtime. 

Augustana controlled a majority of the possession as it looked to score the game-winning goal but the Nanooks' goaltender remained tall in between the pipes. In an aggressive move by the Nanooks, they pulled their goalie with just over a minute remaining but Kotai made back-to-back desperation saves as the game ended by a scoreline of 2-2. 

Game Moments

• Josh Kotai made 32 saves in his first game since Feb. 2, 2024. Kotai moved to 2-9-2 on the season. 
• Jeff Hutchinson and Shay Donovan recorded a game-high five blocked shots each. Augustana as a team soaked 29 shots. 
• Luke Mobley was strong on the draw as he won a game-high 14 of 21 faceoffs. 
• Hayden Hennen had a game-high two points with a goal and an assist. 
• Augustana's power play converted on one of three attempts throughout the game. 

Goals

• Hayden Hennen opened up the game with a shot from the point as he netted his fourth of the season. Ryan Naumovski and Will Howard tallied assists on the play. 
• Harrison Israels evened the game at 1-1 with a short-handed tuck in front of the net. 
• Kyle Gaffney poked in the Nanooks' go-ahead goal off a shot from A.J. Macaulay. 
• Arnaud Vachon tipped in his eighth of the season off a shot from the point from Owen Bohn. Hennen recorded his second point of the night with the secondary assist. 

Up Next
Augustana closes out the weekend series with a senior day celebration starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The puck drop against the Nanooks starts at 6:07 p.m.