SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 18 Augustana hockey team welcomes Bowling Green State University for conference action on Friday and Saturday. 

The puck hits the ice on Friday at 7:07 p.m. and Saturday at 6:07 p.m. Fans can tune into the action on Midco Sports Plus or follow the live stats at GoAugie.com/Live.

Augustana will have a slew of promotional events this weekend. On Friday, Augustana hosts Star Wars Night, where fans are encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite character and show off their lightsabers. The Vikings are excited to be joined by two Mandalorians, a TIE fighter pilot, a clone trooper, stormtroopers and a Sith lord. On Saturday, the Vikings will celebrate Senior Night.

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 Bowling Green met regularly since the Vikings' inaugural Division I season, with the series producing tight, physical contests. The Vikings hold a 3-0-1 record against the Falcons as both squads remain tight in the CCHA standings.

The Falcons
Offensively, Bowling Green averages just over three goals per game, generating consistent pressure at five-on-five while capitalizing on special teams opportunities. The Falcons' power play has hovered near the 20-percent mark this season, while their penalty kill has limited opponents to a conversion rate under .150, reflecting disciplined structure in their own zone.

Individually, Bowling Green is paced by a trio of double-digit goal scorers, with its top forward eclipsing the 30-point mark on the year. The Falcons have spread production throughout their lineup, with multiple players recording 20-plus points, creating matchup challenges across all four lines.

The Vikings
The Vikings are averaging 3.04 goals per game while allowing just 2.00, ranking among the league's top defensive units. Special teams have been a defining strength, with Augustana converting .220 percent of its power-play opportunities while holding opponents to a .114 conversion rate on the penalty kill.

Offensively, Brett Meerman leads the team with 25 points, while Leonid Bulgakov paces the Vikings with 14 goals on the season. Colton Friesen, Jacob Jastrzebski and Owen Baumgartner continue to provide depth throughout the lineup.

In net, Josh Kotai has anchored the Vikings' success, posting a 16-9-3 record with a 2.09 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. Kotai has recorded four shutouts this season and was recently named the CCHA Goalie of the Month for January.