SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana hockey built a four-goal first-period cushion, then leaned on timely goaltending and a decisive shootout tally to earn a 4-4 tie with No. 14 Minnesota State before claiming the extra point Saturday night at Midco Arena. Nace Langus scored the lone goal of the shootout as the Vikings improved to 9-5-3 overall and 6-4-3 in CCHA play, while the Mavericks moved to 11-4-5 (8-3-3 CCHA).

Minnesota State struck first at 4:18 of the opening frame when Ean Somoza finished a play set up by Tristan Lemyre and Ralfs Bergmanis. Augustana answered quickly, as it scored four times in a span of 13:19. Leonid Bulgakov tied the game on the power play at 6:17 off feeds from Owen Baumgartner and Brett Meerman, then Jacob Jastrzebski converted a penalty shot just 63 seconds later to give the Vikings their first lead. After the Mavericks evened the score at 8:18 on Jack Smith's seventh of the season, Augustana surged again late in the period. Landon Fandel put the Vikings back in front at 15:15, finishing a setup from Hunter Bischoff and Meerman, before Langus capped the period with a power-play goal at 19:36 to make it 4-2 heading into the intermission.

Minnesota State clawed back in the second period, scoring twice to erase the deficit. Reid Morich connected on the power play at 10:58, and Bergmanis knotted the game at 12:25, sending the contest into a scoreless third period and overtime. Both teams generated chances down the stretch, but goaltenders Josh Kotai and Alex Tracy stood firm.

Kotai finished with 38 saves for Augustana, including several key stops in overtime, while Tracy turned aside 27 shots for the Mavericks. In the shootout, Langus buried the deciding attempt in the fourth round, lifting the Vikings to the extra point in the CCHA standings.

Game Moments

• Augustana scored four goals in the first period, including two on the power play.
• The Vikings finished 2-for-2 on the man advantage.
• Kotai made 38 saves on 42 shots.
• Jacob Jastrzebski won 14 faceoffs and recorded a goal and an assist.
• Langus scored in regulation and netted the shootout winner.

Goals

• Somoza opened up the scoring early in the first period. 
• Bulgakov buried his seventh of the season on the power play to even the score.
• Jastrzebski netted a penalty shot goal for his fifth of the season.
• Smith tied the game for Minnesota State off a pass from Murr.
• Fandel regained the lead for Augustana with his second of the season off a pass from Bischoff.
• Langus tipped in his first of the season on the power play off a shot from Cole Burtch. 
• Morich netted his second of the season on the power play midway through the second period. 
• Bergmanis recorded his second of the season to tie the game, 4-4.
• Langus netted the lone goal in the shootout to garner the extra league point in Saturday's contest. 

Up Next
Augustana continues its homestand next weekend as the Vikings welcome Omaha in non-conference play. Puck drop times and ticket information are available at GoAugie.com.