This game was an impressive display for the CCHA newcomer, Augustana University.
Augustana, in their historical debut, defeated Bowling Green last night, 3-2.
Augustana outplayed the Falcons handily in the first period, as he Vikings tallied 18 shots on goal, 11 face-offs won, and scored first via goal by freshman forward Hunter Bischoff, with assists by junior defenseman Brady Ziemer and fifth year forward Arnaud Vachon.
In the limited possession time BG retained, they tallied 10 shots on goal and tied in face-offs won, failing to connect with the back of the net in the lone power play.
The possession evened out in the second despite the shots on goal still being dominated by the blue and gold, 15-5.
Curtis Carr’s defense began to be more aggressive, beating Augustana to more pucks than they did in the first period. However, the Falcons were not able to translate the aggressiveness on defense into their offense, leaving the score 1-0 while only taking five shots on goal in the 20 minutes of play.
In the third period, the game became more interesting and highly competitive.
Augustana controlled pressure early, shooting five unanswered shots in a row before an interference penalty was called on Ziemer. The Falcons’ first line then proceeded to play near the entire two-minute penalty, winning two faceoffs and taking four shots on goal.
The Vikings efficiently killed the two minutes of shorthanded play and later drew a penalty on Brett Pfoh for tripping, sending BG into a penalty that would result in a second Vikings goal at the hands of Ryan Naumovski, with assists by Jack Jensen and Chase Brand.
After failing to score on Augustana’s second third-period penalty, forward Brody Waters found the first orange and brown goal with an assist by fellow forward Brayden Krieger.
The story of the third period and penalties continued as Augustana committed another penalty, in which the Falcons could not get past former BG goalie Zack Rose.
Two minutes later, the orange and brown filled the net at even-strength, tying the score in unassisted fashion by sophomore defenseman Dalton Norris.
This excitement was short-lived, as after, the Vikings won the center-ice faceoff and scored an even-strength goal 10 seconds later, making the score 3-1 Augustana, and tallying a goal and second point of the game for Vachon, and an assist for Uula Ruikka.
Ben Troumbly, a sophomore forward, committed the fourth penalty of the period for the blue and gold, but the team was able to kill time once again, sealing the game 3-2 despite Carr pulling goalie Christian Stoever for an extra skater.
In the end, the Falcons were susceptible to the power play once again, having five extra-man opportunities and failing to find a goal, while Augustana scored on one of their power plays to make what ended up being the difference in the game.
The Falcons look to score on those power play opportunities tonight and attempt to balance their record as they battle the Vikings again at 6:07 p.m. in Sioux Falls.
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