SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Josh Kotai turned aside 36 shots, and Augustana struck twice in a 26-second burst midway through the first period to beat Bemidji State 3-1 Friday night at Midco Arena.

Brett Meerman opened the scoring on the power play at 6:21 of the first. After Bemidji State's Oliver Peer went off for tripping, Meerman set up on the left side and finished a feed from Leo Bulgakov, with Owen Baumgartner also drawing an assist. Before the Beavers could reset, Ben Troumbly doubled the lead 26 seconds later, snapping home an even-strength chance off a setup from Jacob Jastrzebski and Landon Fandel to make it 2-0.

In a tight scoreless second period, Augustana continued its 2-0 cushion despite Bemidji State's effort to turn the tide in its favor. Kotai turned away nine shots throughout 20 minutes of action. The lone penalty of the period went against Augustana when Hayden Hennen was called for holding at 15:12, giving the Beavers a chance to climb back in. The Vikings' penalty kill held strong and only allowed one shot on the man-advantage. 

Bemidji State made its strongest push in the third, outshooting Augustana 15-6 and pressing for most of the final 20 minutes, but Kotai kept the Vikings in front with a string of stops, including a pad save on a doorstep chance four minutes in. With the Beavers unable to generate a power-play look in the period, they went to the extra attacker late and broke through at 16:54 when Peer buried a 6-on-5 chance to pull Bemidji State within 2-1. The margin stayed there only briefly, as Augustana withstood another surge after Bemidji State pulled the goalie again, before Colton Friesen sent a long empty-netter home to secure the 3-1 decision.

Game Moments

• Augustana scored twice in 26 seconds to seize control early, with Meerman striking on the power play at 6:21 and Troumbly following at 6:47 to make it 2-0.
• Kotai finished with 36 saves, including 13 in the first and 14 in the third, anchoring the win as Bemidji State outshot the Vikings 37-24.
• The Vikings went a perfect 2-for-2 on the penalty kill, limiting Bemidji State to four power-play shots and no goals.
• Bemidji State finally got on the board with its goalie pulled, as Peer scored the extra-attacker goal at 16:54 of the third to cut it to 2-1.
• In his 99th career game, Friesen netted the final dagger from beyond half ice to secure a 3-1 win.

Goals

• Meerman opened the scoring on the power play, finishing a setup from Bulgakov, with Baumgartner also earning an assist.
• Troumbly made it a two-goal game 26 seconds later, snapping home an even-strength chance off feeds from Jastrzebski and Fandel.
• With the Beavers skating six-on-five, Peer buried the extra-attacker goal to pull Bemidji State within one, assisted by Adam Flammang and Reilly Funk.
• Friesen sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute, taking a pass from Will Svenddal and firing into the open cage.

Up Next
The Vikings close out the series on Saturday night against Bemidji State. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. at Midco Arena.