SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – On Halloween night, Augustana hockey's Leo Bulgakov and Brett Meerman found the back of the net to push the Vikings past Northern Michigan, 2-1. Friday's win helped the Vikings secure their first conference win of the 2025-26 season. 

The opening 20 minutes of action kicked off with both teams trading blows before Augustana tilted the ice in its favor. The Vikings peppered William Gramme but struggled to score past the netminder. Northern Michigan got the first opportunity on the man-advantage after Hunter Bischoff was penalized with a two-minute minor. The Wildcats struggled on the power play as the Vikings held strong. Augustana outshot the opposition 14-6 through the first frame.

Augustana laid on the pressure in the second period, opening the frame with strong offensive chances. The Vikings finally broke through with 6:20 remaining in the period as Bulgakov rifled in his second of the season from the top of the slot off an offensive break set up by Meerman and Owen Baumgartner. Augustana continued to apply pressure as it led in shots on goal, 33-13.

4:42 into the third period, Augustana went on the man-advantage after the 'Cats were hit with a two-minute minor. On the power play, Baumgartner dished the puck over to Bulgakov, who skated along the top of the circle before he found Meerman, who redirected in his first of the season to push the Vikings' lead to two. Northern Michigan cut its deficit down to one after Graden Slipec found Tobias Pitka open in the slot. With 1:25 left in the final frame, NMU pulled its netminder, but Augustana stood tall and secured the 2-1 win. 

Game Moments

• Augustana outshot Northern Michigan, 48-25.
• Meerman netted his first goal of the season.
• Bulgakov, Baumgartner and Meerman recorded two points.
• The Vikings netted the game-winner on the power play.
• Jacob Jastrzebski blocked a team-high three shots.
•  Gramme made 46 saves for Northern Michigan.
• Jastrzebski went 58 percent on the faceoff dot.

Goals

• Bulgakov opened up the scoring in the second period with his second of the season from the top of the slot. Meerman and Baumgartner collected assists on the goal.
• Meerman pushed the Vikings' lead to two as he redirected in his first of the season from the middle of the slot on the power play. 
• Northern Michigan added its lone goal with 9:10 remaining in the third period as Pitka buried one past Kotai.

Up Next
Augustana closes out the weekend series on Saturday night. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m.