SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In a back-and-forth contest that featured momentum swings, special-teams battles and standout goaltending on both ends, Augustana hockey earned a 4–4 shootout victory over St. Thomas on Saturday night at Midco Arena. The Vikings scored three times in the opening period and capped the night with a clutch shootout winner from Tyler Hennen to move to 6-4-1 (3-3-1 CCHA) on the season. 

Augustana's offense set the tone early. Leonid Bulgakov opened the scoring just 2:08 into the game on the power play, burying a feed from Joey DelGreco. After the Tommies tied the game minutes later, the Vikings responded with back-to-back tallies from Cole Burtch and Ben Troumbly to take a 3–1 lead into the first intermission. 

St. Thomas climbed back in the second period, capitalizing on sustained pressure and converting twice to even the score, 3–3. The Vikings weathered the push with key defensive stops from Josh Kotai, who faced 14 shots in the frame. 

In the third, Will Howard delivered a timely strike at 4:08, finishing a setup from Nace Langus and Tyler Hennen to put Augie ahead 4–3. But the Tommies forced overtime with a power-play goal at 18:04, eventually sending the game to a shootout after a scoreless extra session. Kotai stood tall, stopping all three Tommies' attempts, while T. Hennen buried the lone goal to secure the extra conference point for the Vikings.

Game Moments

• Leonid Bulgakov scored the opening goal on the power play at 2:08 of the first period.
• Augustana scored three times in the opening frame to take a 3-1 lead.
• Will Howard's early third-period goal gave the Vikings a 4–3 advantage.
• Tyler Hennen netted the only goal of the shootout to seal the win.
• Josh Kotai recorded 34 saves, including seven in overtime.

Goals

• Bulgakov scored the opening goal on the power play.
• Nick Williams tied the game, 1-1. 
• Burtch tallied his third of the season off a dish from Bischoff. 
• Troumbly found the back of the net for his second of the season.
• Jake Braccini found the back of the net for St. Thomas.
• Quinton Pepper netted his first of the season.
• Howard recorded his first of the season with a back-handed shot short side.
• Nick Williams equalized the game, 4-4 with a power play goal.

Up Next
Augustana will take the next week to prepare as it heads to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on Nov. 28-29 in a conference match against Lake Superior State.