SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana hockey team (17-9-3, 9-5-1 CCHA) secured CCHA playoff home ice after it defeated Michigan Tech (15-12-2, 11-8-2 CCHA) by a score of 5-1 on home ice inside Midco Arena. The Vikings were led by Hunter Bischoff with two goals and Mike Richter Award Semifinalist Josh Kotai with 18 saves. 

Friday's game kicked off in a back-and-forth battle as both teams shared opportunities on offense. Augustana broke through in the final five minutes of the first period as Easton Young connected with Colton Friesen behind the woodwork before they found Bischoff out in front of the net where he scored his sixth of the season with a wrist shot top shelf. Augustana edged out Michigan Tech in shots on goal 10-9 through the first 20 minutes of play. 

The Vikings were hit with a two-minute minor 1:59 into the second period as they gave the Huskies its first chance on the power play. MTU took advantage of the man advantage as it scored off a one-timer from Chase Pietila. The power play goals continued in the second period but in favor of Augustana as Joey DelGreco backhanded in his seventh of the season after a shot from Brett Meerman. DelGreco's goal midway through the frame put Augustana up 2-1. Augustana pushed its lead to two after Bischoff came out of the box and caught a breakaway after an MTU turnover where he made Manzella move side-to-side before he finished on his backhand for his second goal of the night. 

Augustana carried its momentum into the third period as Tyler Hennen potted his sixth of the season on the power play from out in front of the net after he was set up by Nace Langus and Young. The game became chippy as both teams saw time in the box. In the final moments of the third period, Stiven Sardarian was hit with two minor penalties and gave Augustana its fifth power play of the night. Luke Mobley made the most of the man advantage as he powered in his 12th of the season off a dish from Uula Ruikka and Langus. The Vikings secured the 5-1 win and clinched home ice for the CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs. 

Game Moments

• Bischoff scored two goals in Friday's win. 
• Young and Langus collected two assists each. 
• Kotai made 18 saves and moved to 16-7-3 on the season.
• Friesen went 85.7 percent on the faceoff dot.
• The Vikings went 3-5 on the power play. 
• Augustana outshot Michigan Tech 27-19.
• AU clinched home ice for the CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs.

Goals

• Bischoff kicked off the scoring with his sixth of the season after he wristed in the rubber top shelf off dishes from Friesen and Young. 
• Pietila scored a power-play goal from the top of the circle after he received a pass from Max Koskpirtti. 
• DelGreco potted his seventh of the season from out in front of the round from Meerman's shot from the point. Hayden Hennen tallied the secondary assist. 
• Bischoff recorded his second goal of the night on the breakaway.
• T. Hennen potted a power play goal after he received a dish from Langus. Young collected his second assist of the game on the setup. 
• Mobley scored the final dagger with his 12th of the season on the power play. Ruikka and Langus tallied assists. 

Up Next
Augustana finishes out its final CCHA regular season conference game Saturday night as it closes out the weekend series with Michigan Tech. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m.