SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Nace Langus recorded three assists while Josh Kotai stopped 32 shots as Augustana men's hockey defeated Bowling Green, 4-2, Saturday night at Midco Arena. The win on Senior Night snapped a three-game skid and pushed the Vikings back into the win column, garnering a weekend split. 

Augustana struck first in the opening period and built a two-goal cushion in the second before weathering a third-period push from the Falcons. The Vikings sealed the victory with a late empty-net goal to close out the night.

The Vikings opened the scoring at 14:27 of the first period when Easton Young finished from the point off feeds from Langus and Will Howard. Kotai and the Viking defense killed off a pair of late first-period penalties to carry a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Bowling Green evened the score at 7:24 of the second period, but Augustana responded midway through the frame. Quinn Rudrud netted his first of the season at 11:17, converting assists from Owen Baumgartner and Callum Gau to restore the Viking advantage. Hayden Hennen extended the lead at 18:17, burying a feed from the blueline off a dish from Langus to send Augustana into the second break ahead 3-1.

The Falcons cut the deficit to one at 9:35 of the third period, but Kotai stood tall down the stretch, turning aside 13 shots in the final frame. With Bowling Green skating with an extra attacker, Joey DelGreco sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:29, assisted by Langus and Jacob Jastrzebski.

Kotai earned the win in net, stopping 32 of 34 shots as Augustana held a 35-34 edge in shots on goal.

Game Moments

• Young opened the scoring late in the first period at even strength.
• Rudrud recorded his first goal of the season to regain the lead in the second.
• Hennen extended the advantage to two late in the second period.
• Augustana killed all three Bowling Green power plays.
• DelGreco iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Goals

• Young scored his fifth of the season at 14:27 of the first period.
• Tyler Hotson scored his 10th of the season at 7:24 of the second period
• Rudrud tallied his first of the year at 11:17 of the second period.
• Hennen notched his fourth of the season late in the second.
• Brayden Crampton netted his third of the season at 9:35 of the third period at even strength.
• DelGreco sealed the win with his fifth of the year on an empty-net goal.

Up Next
Augustana closes out the Regular Season on the road at St. Thomas. Puck drop is slated for 7:07 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 and 7:07 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.