ST. PAUL, Minn. – Leonid Bulgakov broke a scoreless tie in the second period while Josh Kotai turned aside all 28 shots he faced as Augustana men's hockey blanked No. 15 St. Thomas, 4-0, Saturday night at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. The victory clinched home ice for the Vikings in the Mason Cup Quarterfinals and pushed Augustana to its first-ever 20-win season.

After a tightly contested opening 20 minutes, Augustana seized control midway through the second period and erupted for three third-period goals to secure the regular-season finale on a high note.

Both sides traded chances in the first period with Kotai and St. Thomas netminder Aaron Trotter keeping the game scoreless through one. The Tommies outshot the Vikings 10-9 in the opening frame, but Augustana's penalty kill stood firm, killing off two early power plays.

The breakthrough came at 6:06 of the second period when Bulgakov netted his 15th goal of the season at even strength. Easton Young and Carter Theissen each recorded assists on the play as Augustana grabbed a 1-0 advantage heading into the second intermission.

Augustana pulled away in the third period. Cole Burtch doubled the lead at 13:35, finishing at even strength for his fifth goal of the year. Just over two minutes later, Jacob Jastrzebski extended the margin to 3-0 at 15:39 off assists from Joey DelGreco and Will Howard. With St. Thomas skating with the extra attacker late, Owen Bohn sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:21, assisted by Jastrzebski and Young.

Kotai earned his 18th win of the season with a 28-save shutout, including 10 saves in each of the first two periods. St. Thomas held a 28-22 edge in shots on goal, but Augustana capitalized on its opportunities and killed all four Tommie power plays.

Game Moments

• Bulgakov opened the scoring midway through the second period.
• Kotai recorded his shutout with 28 saves.
• Burtch's third-period goal provided insurance early in the final frame.
• Jastrzebski tallied a goal and an assist for a two-point night.
• Augustana clinched home ice for the Mason Cup Quarterfinals with the win.
• Hayden Hennen skated in his 100th career game.

Goals

• Bulgakov scored his 15th of the season at 6:06 of the second period at even strength.
• Burtch netted his fifth of the year at 13:35 of the third period at even strength.
• Jastrzebski tallied his ninth of the season at 15:39 of the third period.
• Bohn sealed the win with his seventh of the year on an empty-net goal at 19:21 of the third period.

Up Next
The CCHA regular season wraps up next weekend as Augustana with await its opponent. Stay tuned to GoAugie.com/tickets for ticket information on the Mason Cup Playoffs.