SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana hockey (12-18-4) celebrated its seniors Saturday night against Alaska Fairbanks (15-14-3) but fell short in a tough battle by a score of 2-0 in the final regular season game of its inaugural season presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard. 

Augustana celebrated seniors Anthony Stark, Arnaud Vachon, Chase Brand, Ryan Naumovski, Shay Donovan, and Zack Rose. The six seniors will be the first Vikings to graduate from Augustana in program history.

Augustana opened up the contest with the same drive it had last night as it dominated a majority of possession in the opening 10 minutes of play. With just over five minutes to play in the first period, the Nanooks challenged a previous play for a potential head contact and forced the Vikings to kill off a five-minute major. 

Alaska Fairbanks capitalized on the power play as T.J. Lloyd buried one in front in tight off a pass from Kyle Gaffney. Fairbanks carried its 1-0 lead into through the second period. 

The Vikings pushed for the game-tying goal as it fired multiple shots on the net but struggled to find the equalizer. 

In a desperate attempt to even the score, head coach Garrett Raboin pulled Rose to give Augustana an extra attacker with just over three minutes to play in the third. The Nanooks pushed the score to 2-0 with an empty net shot from Harrison Israels to close out the game 2-0.

Game Moments

• Augustana outshot the Nanooks 30-27 with five coming from Quinn Rudrud. 
• Zack Rose made 25 saves as he moved to 6-7-2 on the season. 
• Augustana finished out the regular season with a record of 12-18-4. 

Goals

• T.J. Llyod opened up the game with a power play goal off a pass from Kyle Gaffney. 
• Harrison Israels buried the final dagger with an empty net goal off a pass from Braden Birnie. 

Up Next
Augustana sets its sights on the U.S. National Under-18 Team next weekend as it plays in two exhibition games. Puck drop is set for Friday, March 8 at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 at 6:07 p.m.