BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Augustana hockey team (3-3, 0-2 CCHA) fell to Bemidji State (4-4, 2-0 CCHA) on Saturday night inside the Sanford Center by a score of 3-2. The Beavers netted two goals in the second period and rode the momentum to secure the win. Colton Friesen and Owen Baumgartner scored goals for the Vikings.

The special teams units were tested early in the first period as both teams saw a chance on the man-advantage. Bemidji State found the back of the net first as Vince Corcoran ripped the puck towards the net before it was redirected off a Viking defenseman to put the Beavers up 1-0. Augustana answered back with 1:39 remaining in the frame as Cole Burtch pickpocketed a Beaver defender before his shot attempt found Friesen's stick for a bank shot off the BSU netminder.

Bemidji State regained its lead 2:47 into the second period as Max Namestnikov fired in his first of the season from the slot off a rebound from Jake McLean's attempt. 58 seconds later, Kasper Magnussen ripped in the Beavers' third goal of the game on Kotai's glove side from out in front of the net. Augustana tilted possession in its favor during the latter half of the frame as it edged out Bemidji State in shots on goal, 10-5.

Eight minutes into the third period, Augustana went back on the penalty kill after Hayden Hennen was hit with a two-minute minor for hooking. While shorthanded, the Vikings denied any chance the Beavers came up with. At the 7:58 mark, Burtch poked the puck free to H. Hennen, who dished it to Baumgartner at the top of the circle before he scored his second of the season and cut the game to 3-2. Augustana went on the man-advantage with 1:59 remaining in the game, head coach Garrett Raboin pulled Josh Kotai to give the Vikings a six-on-four advantage. Augustana pounded the net with six shots during the power play but Bemidji State held on to secure the weekend sweep.  

Game Moments

• Augustana outshot Bemidji State, 27-24.
• The Vikings went 4/4 on the penalty kill.
• Ben Troumbly, Will Svenddal and Jacob Jastrzebski each recorded two blocks.
• Burtch led the Vikings with two points.

Goals

• Corcoran found the back of the net with 9:02 remaining in the first after his shot was redirected off a Viking defenseman to put Bemidji State up, 1-0.
• Friesen answered for the Vikings late in the first period with his third of the season as he banked a shot off the netminder's back. 
• Namestnikov netted his first of the season from the slot off a rebound.
• Magnussen pushed the Beavers' lead to two with a shot glove-side high.
• Baumgartner recorded his second of the season and cut BSU's lead to one with a shot from the top of the circle with just under eight minutes remaining in the third.

Up Next
Augustana returns home to host Northern Michigan in a weekend series. Puck drop is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31, at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6:07 p.m.