SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 17/18 Augustana hockey team returns to conference action this weekend as it heads to Marquette, Michigan, to face Northern Michigan on Friday and Saturday. 

The puck hits the ice on Friday at 6:07 p.m. and Saturday at 5:07 p.m. Fans can tune into the action on Midco Sports Plus or follow the live stats at GoAugie.com/Live.

Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play.

Series History
Augustana and Northern Michigan have played a total of five times since the inaugural season in 2023-24. The Vikings hold an overall record of 5-0-1 against the 'Cats and currently ride a five-game win streak against them. Earlier this season, Augustana swept NMU on home ice by scores of 3-1 and 2-1.

The Wildcats
Northern Michigan (1-21-0, 1-13-0 CCHA) opened up the second half of the season against Lake Superior State, where the 'Cats fell in two tightly contested 2-1 losses in the Cappo Cup. Caiden Gault leads the Wildcats with 12 goals in 22 games. Oliver Auyeung-Ashton and William Gramme have shared time between the pipes and hold an average goals against average of 3.74. 

The Vikings
Augustana (12-6-3, 6-4-2 CCHA) closed the weekend with a pair of wins over Colorado College at Midco Arena, securing a sweep with 3-2 and 4-2 victories. On Friday, the Vikings erased a one-goal deficit with a power-play tally from Brett Meerman and a shorthanded goal by Cole Burtch, before Burtch's third-period strike stood as the game-winner. Saturday saw Augustana build an early cushion behind goals from Hayden Hennen (two), Hunter Bischoff, and Will Howard. Christian Manz anchored both wins in net, stopping 60 total shots as the Vikings closed out non-conference action with a record of 6-2-0 all against NCHC competition. 

Brett Meerman and Jacob Jastrzebski were recognized by the Central Collegiate Hockey Association on Tuesday, Jan. 6, earning CCHA Players of the Month honors for December. Meerman led all CCHA skaters in goals (5) and points (9) in December, helping Augustana to a 3-1-2 record. He also had league-bests in shooting percentage (41.7%) and power-play goals (3). Jastrzebski led CCHA freshmen in assists (5), points (7), and plus-minus (+4) in December. Registering eight shots on goal, he also blocked eight shots defensively and won 50-of-110 face-offs.

Augustana has been dominant at Midco Arena this season, compiling a 9-1-3 home record and earning points in 12 of 13 games. The Vikings have averaged nearly three goals per game on home ice while holding opponents to just over two.