By Ben Shanahan

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.– Augustana University won its first game in program history as they beat visiting Bowling Green State University hockey, 3-2, on Saturday.

A goalie duo who were teammates on the 2021-22 Bowling Green hockey team faced off against each other in the matchup, and it was the BGSU former goalie now at Augustana who got the win.

Augustana fifth-year senior goalie Zack Rose saved 25 of Bowling Green’s 27 shots in his return game against his former school. Falcon goalie Christian Stoever saved 38 of Augustana’s 41 shots for a .927 save percentage in the losing effort.

Both teams traded chances back and forth early in the first period until 7:08, when BGSU sophomore Dalton Norris was called for holding.

With 15 seconds left in the Vikings’ power play, Augustana junior defenseman Evan McIntyre sent both teams to a 4-on-4 after he was whistled for a slash on BGSU junior Ryan O’Hara.

With one second left on the 4-on-4, Augustana scored their first goal in program history. As fifth-year Arnaud Vachon’s first attempt was saved by Stoever, Augustana freshman Hunter Bischoff picked up the rebound and scored Augustana’s first goal in program history.

The second period saw not much action as both teams traded chances with no goals or penalties for either team.

The third period, however, saw four goals scored. At the 12:47 mark, BG sophomore Brett Pfoh was sent to the penalty box for two minutes on a tripping call.

The Vikings’ special teams struck again, as 49 seconds later junior Jack Jensen set up Ryan Naumovski perfectly with a pass that doubled the Augustana lead.

Just over four minutes later, Bowling Green freshman Brody Waters netted his first goal of his career, assisted by Brayden Krieger, cutting the Augustana lead in half with 7:45 left in regulation.

Bowling Green tied the game with just 3:10 left as Dalton Norris score his second goal in the first three games on a slap shot from the blue line.

That tie lasted only 14 seconds as Vachon skated through the Falcons’ defense, scoring the game winner and his second of the night with 2:56 left, giving Augustana the 3-2 win.