COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Augustana hockey team (12-7-1, 5-3 CCHA) completed the weekend sweep over No. 8 Colorado College (10-7-1, 4-3-1 NCHC) by a score of 3-2 Saturday night in Ed Robson Arena. The Vikings netted the go-ahead goal in the final minutes of play and were backstopped by Josh Kotai with 45 saves. 

Colorado College opened up Saturday's affair with multiple scoring chances but struggled to find an answer to Kotai's performance in the net. In a back-and-forth battle throughout the neutral zone, Augustana found momentum in the middle of the frame with multiple odd-man chances. Yet, CC remained strong and tilted the ice in its favor as it broke the deadlock with 46.7 seconds remaining in the period with a wrist shot from Noah Laba. CC led in shots by the buzzer as it edged out Augustana 20-14. 

Colorado College continued its offensive drive into the opening minutes of the second period with a disallowed goal after a successful challenge from Augustana for goaltender interference. The Tigers ran into penalty problems throughout the frame and allowed Augustana ample chances on offense. Augustana evened the game at 1-1 with 2:05 remaining in the period as Brett Meerman glided into the zone off a pass from Quinn Rudrud and scored his fifth of the season bar down. 

The third period increased intensity as both teams shared equal possession of the rubber. Colorado College broke the tie seven minutes into play as Stanley Cooley fired in a shot from the point through traffic for his third of the year. Augustana answered back less than six minutes later as Rudrud deflected in a shot from the point to make the game 2-2. Penalties became an issue in the final 10 minutes as both teams shared time on the power play. The Vikings answered seconds after their time on the special teams as Nace Langus tipped in the go-ahead goal to put Augustana on top for the first time in Saturday's affair. AU buckled down in the final moments and Kotai made back-to-back desperation saves to help Augustana secure its fourth-ranked win this season by a score of 3-2.  

Game Moments

• The first period saw two official reviews in the opening five minutes of play. CC netted a goal early but was disallowed for the puck being kicked into the net. The second review came after Kotai made a save on the goal line to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.
• CC thought it pushed its lead to two but Augustana challenged the goal for goaltender interference and won to keep the game at 1-0. 
• After two unsuccessful power play attempts for Augustana, Meerman evened the score at 1-1 as the game headed into the third period. 
• Kotai made 45 saves and moved to 11-5-1 on the season.
• Rudrud led the team with two points by way of one goal and one assist. 
• Augustana blocked 17 shots. 

Goals

• Laba opened up the scoring in Saturday's affair as he wired in a rebound from Owen Beckner's shot to put CC atop Augustana after 20 minutes of play. 
• Meerman tied the game up with 2:05 remaining in the second period as he glided into the offensive zone and went bar down on the CC goalie for his fifth of the season. Rudrud and Owen Baumgartner collected assists. 
• Cooley regained the lead for CC with a shot through traffic. 
• Rudrud answered back for Augustana with a redirection off a shot from Evan McIntyre.
• Langus scored the game-winning goal with 1:29 remaining in the third as he redirected a shot from Hayden Hennen.

Up Next
Augustana takes the following week off as it sets its sights on Lindenwood for a weekend series on home ice. The series kicks off on Friday, Jan. 17, and concludes on Saturday, Jan. 18.