SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Josh Kotai made 42 saves, but Augustana men's hockey fell 1-0 to Bowling Green on Friday night at Midco Arena.

Bowling Green scored midway through the first period and held off a late Viking push to secure the conference victory. Augustana outshot the Falcons 14-4 in the third period and finished with 28 shots on goal but was unable to solve goaltender Cole Moore.

The Falcons struck on the power play at 4:54 of the opening frame as Tyler Hotson buried a rebound in front off assists from Jackson Niedermayer and Breck McKinley to give Bowling Green a 1-0 lead. Kotai faced 27 shots in the first period and turned aside 26 to keep the Vikings within one heading into the intermission.

Augustana generated chances in the second period, including a power-play opportunity midway through the frame, but Moore stopped all six Viking shots in the period. Kotai continued to stand tall, stopping all 12 Bowling Green attempts in the second to keep the deficit at one entering the final 20 minutes.

The Vikings pressed in the third period, pulling Kotai for the extra attacker late and recording 14 shots in the frame. After an officials review in the third period, Will Howard was denied a potential game-tying goal, keeping the Falcons in front. Augustana had two power-play chances in the final stanza and sustained pressure in the closing minutes, but Moore finished with 28 saves to preserve the shutout.

Kotai took the loss in net despite stopping 42 of 43 shots as Bowling Green outshot Augustana 43-28 on the night.

Game Moments

• Bowling Green scored on a power-play rebound at 4:54 of the first period.
• Kotai made 26 saves in the opening frame to keep the Vikings within one.
• Howard was denied a potential game-tying goal following an officials review in the third period.
• The Vikings outshot the Falcons 14-4 in the third period.
• Augustana pulled its goaltender late but could not find the equalizer.

Goals

• Hotson scored on the power play at 4:54 of the first period, assisted by Niedermayer and McKinley.

Up Next
Augustana continues its homestand Saturday night against Bowling Green. Puck drop from Midco Arena is slated for 6:07 p.m. The Vikings will celebrate four seniors after the game concludes.