BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Augustana hockey team (14-7-2, 6-3 CCHA) returned to conference play Friday night as it defeated Bowling Green (12-9-3, 8-6-3 CCHA) by a score of 1-0 in an overtime thriller at Slater Family Ice Arena. Hayden Hennen recorded the game-winner with a shot over the pad of BGSU's netminder to garner Augustana's 14th win of the season.

In a battle between two Mike Richter Award nominees in Josh Kotai and Christian Stoever, both teams fought for possession throughout the neutral zone. Augustana caught an early break three minutes into play with a power play opportunity. BGSU stood tall on the man advantage and kept the game tied despite the Vikings' strong scoring opportunities. The Vikings fell into penalty trouble shortly after its power play chance but kept the game scoreless after 20 minutes of play. 

The second period saw both teams share equal chances on offense but Kotai and Stoever kept the game tied at 0-0. Physicality picked up in the middle frame and led to penalties on both sides of the ice. By the end of the second period, the Vikings killed off a total of three minor penalties. 

As the third period raged on, both netminders stole the show with multiple stops to keep it scoreless. Bowling Green found momentum midway through the period as it caught up to Augustana in shots on goal but Kotai stood tall. Augustana was called for a two-minute minor with 2:39 remaining in the third as it was forced to kill off its fourth penalty of the night. BGSU had multiple chances on the net despite it giving up shorthanded chances. After Augustana killed off its penalty the game remained scoreless after three periods of play. 

 Augustana opened up the overtime period with a shot on goal from Luke Mobley before the Falcons transitioned the play in the opposite direction for a shot. After a back-and-forth battle between both offensive zones, Colton Friesen glided into the zone and opened up to find Hennen who hesitated a shot before he ripped it past the netminder's pad to secure the win for Augustana. 

Game Moments

• Simon Falk played in his 100th career game Friday night.
• Augustana outshot Bowling Green 35-33. 
• The Vikings killed off four penalties.
• Kotai made 33 saves in his third shutout of the season.
• Augustana remains unbeaten in its last seven games (5-0-2).
• Hennen had a team-high three blocked shots.

Goals

• Hennen netted his third of the season and the game-winner with a wrist shot in overtime over the pad of Stoever after he received a pass from Friesen. 

Up Next
Augustana returns to the ice on Saturday night as it closes out the weekend series with Bowling Green. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m. (cst.).