SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana hockey team climbed back from a three-goal deficit to steal a CCHA point on Michigan Tech after the Vikings fell in the shootout Saturday night inside Midco Arena. 

Michigan Tech jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over the Vikings as Alex Nordstrom potted his third of the season 1:18 into play. Nordstrom continued his hot start with his second goal of the night as he tipped in a shot from the point to make it 2-0. The goals continued for Michigan Tech as it pushed its lead to three with a goal from Philip Fank. Christian Manz came into the net for Augustana after Michigan Tech's hot start. The Vikings stopped the bleeding with less than five minutes remaining in the first frame as Brett Meerman stopped an MTU breakout before he found Payton Matsui for his eighth of the season. Michigan Tech led 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. 

Augustana opened up the second period on the power play and took the most of the man advantage as Colton Friesen fired in his sixth of the season from the top of the circle to bring Augustana to within one. The Vikings continued their momentum eight minutes later as Meerman recorded his second point of the night with a shot short-side low on Derek Mullahy. Momentum shifted into Michigan Tech's favor midway through the period as Chase Pietila notched his second goal on the weekend to give the Huskies a one-goal lead through 40 minutes of play. 

Both teams shared chances in their respective offensive zones before Evan McIntyre danced along the blueline before rushing the puck toward the woodwork to find Nace Langus for his fifth of the season. Langus' goal brought the game to a 4-4 tie. Manz came up big in the later half of the third period to keep the game tied. 

The game went into overtime. Michigan Tech opened up scoring chances but struggled to find an answer to Manz's play between the pipes. Augustana found chances in the late stages of the five minutes, but the game needed to be decided in a shootout. 

Michigan Tech found the back of the net twice in the shootout to secure the extra point. 

Game Moments

• Augustana had a sold-out crowd. 
• Manz made 22 saves in relief. 
• The Vikings were 50 percent on the power play.
• Meerman and Matsui led the team with two points each.

Goals

• Nordstrom opened up the scoring with his third goal of the season.
• Nordstrom continued his hot night with his second of the game after he tipped in a shot from the point. 
• Fank scored his first goal of the season to give MTU a 3-0 lead. 
• Matsui cut the Huskies' lead to two with his eighth of the season off a dish from Meerman. 
• Friesen recorded his sixth of the season on the power play after a set-up play from Hayden Hennen and Matsui. 
• Meerman found the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3 in the early part of the second period. Simon Falk and Easton Young collected assists. 
• Pietila notched his second goal of the weekend to regain Michigan Tech's lead. 
• Langus collected his fifth of the season after he received a dish from McIntyre. Luke Mobley garnered the secondary assist. 

Up Next
Augustana closes out its regular season next weekend as it hosts Alaska Fairbanks in a weekend series. Friday's game starts at 7:07 p.m. with Saturday's set to begin at 6:07 p.m.