SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Leonid Bulgakov scored twice to tie the Augustana single-season goal record with 13 tallies, and Augustana men's hockey erupted for four third-period goals to pull away from Lake Superior State, earning a 6-1 victory Friday night at Midco Arena.
The Lakers struck first early in the opening period. Still, the Vikings responded with a steady push, tying the game before intermission and gradually taking control behind disciplined play and strong goaltending from
Josh Kotai.
Lake Superior State opened the scoring at 2:02 of the first period when Ryan Beck finished at even strength. Augustana answered at 11:06 as
Brett Meerman evened the contest, finishing a feed from
Hunter Bischoff on a breakaway to send the teams into the first break tied at 1-1.
The Vikings grabbed their first lead midway through the second period on the power play. Bulgakov capitalized at 7:31, wiring home his 12th goal of the season from the slot off assists from
Owen Baumgartner and
Colton Friesen to make it 2-1.
Augustana broke the game open early in the third period.
Owen Bohn extended the lead at 2:47 before Bischoff scored just 90 seconds later, chasing the Lakers' starting goaltender. Bulgakov added his second of the night at 12:21 from the slot, and
Will Howard capped the scoring with a goal at 15:39 as the Vikings cruised to the five-goal win.
Kotai was sharp between the pipes, stopping 41 shots, as Augustana overcame a 42-38 shot deficit while finishing 1-for-4 on the power play.
Game Moments
- Augustana scored four times in the third period to pull away.
- Bulgakov recorded his second multi-goal game of the season and tied the single-season goal record.
- Kotai finished with 41 saves to earn the win.
- Bischoff tallied a goal and an assist.
- The Vikings went 1-for-4 on the power play.
Goals
- Beck opened the scoring first with an even-strength strike.
- Meerman tied the game late in the first period with his 10th of the season.
- Bulgakov scored on the power play midway through the second.
- Bohn opened the third-period scoring from the slot.
- Bischoff followed moments later to extend the lead.
- Bulgakov added his second of the night at even strength.
- Howard closed out the scoring late in the third.
Up Next
Augustana closes out the weekend series on Saturday night. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m.
– GoAugie.com –