SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana men's hockey scored four goals across the first two periods and held off a third-period push from Bemidji State to earn a 5-2 victory in game one of the CCHA Mason Cup Quarterfinal series Friday night at a sold-out Midco Arena.

With the win, the Vikings take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three playoff series. Augustana received goals from five different skaters while Josh Kotai turned aside 31 shots to secure the victory.

Augustana struck late in the opening period to grab the first lead. Landon Fandel finished an even-strength opportunity at 17:46, converting passes from Hayden Hennen and Brett Meerman to send the Vikings into the first intermission ahead 1-0.

The Vikings broke the game open in the second period with three goals in a span of just over seven minutes. Easton Young doubled the lead at 6:53 off a feed from Colton Friesen before Joey DelGreco added another at 10:26 with assists from Samo Meritähti and Maxwell Chakrabarti. Nace Langus pushed the lead to 4-0 at 14:09, finishing a play set up by Owen Bohn and Friesen.

Bemidji State attempted to rally early in the third period, scoring just 13 seconds in before adding a power-play tally at 1:18 to trim the deficit to 4-2. Kotai and the Viking defense settled in from there, turning aside the Beavers' pressure and preserving the two-goal advantage.

Colton Friesen sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:22 of the third period, assisted by Langus and DelGreco, securing the 5-2 final. Friesen finished the night with three points on a goal and two assists.

Kotai finished with 31 saves on 33 shots to earn the win in net.

Game Moments

• Augustana opened the scoring late in the first period on a goal from Landon Fandel.
• The Vikings scored three goals in the second period to build a 4-0 advantage.
• Bemidji State scored twice in the opening 1:18 of the third period to cut the deficit to two.
• Colton Friesen recorded three points and sealed the game with a late empty-net goal.

Goals

• Fandel opened the scoring late in the first period for his third goal of the season.
• Young doubled the Viking lead early in the second period.
• DelGreco scored midway through the second period to make it 3-0.
• Langus added another second-period tally to extend the lead to four.
• McClennon scored 13 seconds into the third period for Bemidji State.
• Peer added a power-play goal shortly after for the Beavers.
• Friesen scored an empty-net goal late in the third period to seal the win.

Around the CCHA
(1) Minnesota State defeated (8) Ferris State, 5-1
(2) St. Thomas defeated (7) Lake Superior State, 4-3 (OT)
(4) Michigan Tech defeated (5) Bowling Green, 5-3

Up Next
Augustana continues its CCHA Mason Cup Quarterfinal series against Bemidji State on Saturday at Midco Arena. Puck drop for game two is set for 6:07 p.m.