SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Augustana hockey team scored twice in the final 6:17 of regulation to erase an early deficit and take a 2-1 road win over Lake Superior State on Saturday night at Taffy Abel Arena. The Vikings moved to 7-5-1 on the season and 4-4-1 in conference play. 

Lake Superior State struck first when Ryan Beck finished a play in tight early in the opening frame, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Augustana responded with immediate offensive pressure, generating quality looks and forcing LSSU goaltender Rorke Applebee into several strong saves. The Vikings earned two power plays in the first period and set up consistently in the zone, but Applebee and the Laker penalty kill kept the score level. Augustana still exited the period with momentum, outshooting LSSU 11-4 through 20 minutes and spending much of the time in the offensive end.

The second period continued in a similar rhythm. Augustana pushed pace through the neutral zone and created chances off the rush, while Lake Superior State looked to counterattack and clog shooting lanes. The Vikings had another man-advantage opportunity midway through the period, but the game remained in the Lakers' favor in the middle frame.

Augustana's pressure finally produced a power-play equalizer at 13:43 after Beck was whistled for tripping. Leonid Bulgakov buried the tying goal from the left side, snapping home his sixth of the season off a crisp setup from Hayden Hennen and Colton Friesen. Just 4:44 later, Augustana delivered the winner at even strength. Jacob Jastrzebski found space in the slot and finished a feed from Brett Meerman and Hunter Bischoff at 18:27, lifting the Vikings to a 2-1 lead. Lake Superior State pulled its goalie for an extra attacker in the final minute, but Josh Kotai and the Augustana defense slammed the door, preserving the comeback victory. Kotai finished with 21 saves, including 10 in the third period, as Augustana outshot LSSU 29-22 on the night.

Game Moments 

• Augustana scored two goals in the final 6:17 to complete the comeback.
• The Vikings outshot Lake Superior State 29-22, including 11-4 in the first period.
• Bulgakov's third-period tally was Augustana's lone power-play goal (1-for-4).
• Jastrzebski recorded the game-winner and was strong at the dot, going 7-4 on faceoffs.
• Kotai stopped 21 shots to earn his seventh win of the season.

Goals

• LSSU opened scoring at 3:40 of the first period on Beck's even-strength finish.
• Bulgakov tied the game 1-1 on the power play at 13:43 of the third, assisted by Hennen and Friesen.
• Jastrzebski netted the go-ahead goal at 18:27 of the third off feeds from Meerman and Bischoff.

Up Next
Augustana returns home next weekend to kick off its eight-game home stand. The Vikings face Bemidji State in a weekend series. Puck drop is slated for 7:07 p.m. on Friday, December 5.