Augustana Hockey drops Saturday night contest, 5-3

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Augustana) – The Augustana hockey team (17-11-4, 9-5-2 CCHA) closed out its regular season Saturday night as it fell to Alaska Fairbanks (12-12-6) by a score of 5-3 inside Midco Arena. Hunter Bischoff, Ben Troumbly and Brett Meerman collected goals for Augustana.
Alaska Fairbanks opened up the scoring early as Chase Defoe found the back of the net on the man advantage after Garret Drotts was dinged with a two-minute minor. The Nanooks continued its momentum throughout the period as they outshot the Vikings 10-4. The first period was penalty-riddled as Quinn Rudrud was hit with a five-minute major after a successful challenge from the Nanooks bench. In 20 minutes of play, 27 penalty minutes were handed out.
UAF controlled the opening play in the second period, extending its lead to two with a goal from Matt Rickard, who took a pass from Peyton Platter. With just over three minutes of play left in the middle frame, Bischoff cut the Nanooks' lead in half as he slotted in his eighth of the season off a pass from Meerman.
Early in the third period, Troumbly netted his first of the season as he made the game tied at 2-2. Troumbly's goal came off a give-and-go from Joey DelGreco. The stalemate lasted just under five minutes as Cade Ahrenholz powered in his second of the season to regain UAF's lead. Ahrenholz pushed the lead to two as he scored his second of the night five minutes later. With under six minutes remaining in the game, Augustana had a successful challenge for a major penalty as Ahrenholz's night ended for a hit to the head. The Vikings took advantage of the power play opportunity as Easton Young found Bischoff below the net before the Vikings' third goal was finished off by Meerman with his seventh tally of the season. UAF's penalty trouble continued as Nathan Rickey went to the box for a two-minute minor, giving Augustana a five-on-three power play opportunity. Augustana's specialty unit dominated possession of the puck but Lassi Lehti stood tall to keep the game set at 4-3. Platter sealed the deal with 37 seconds left with an empty netter to help Alaska Fairbanks secure its 12th win of the season.
Game Moments
- Manz made 23 saves in his first start since December.
- Colton Friesen went 63.2 percent on the faceoff dot.
- Six Vikings recorded at least one point.
- Callum Gau led the Vikings in blocked shots with four.
Goals
- Defoe opened up the scoring early with a power play goal to give UAF an early lead.
- Rickard pushed the Nanooks' lead to two with his fourth of the season.
- Bischoff brought the Vikings to within one with his eighth of the season. Meerman garnered the primary assist.
- Troumbly tied the game with his first of the season off a dish from DelGreco. Simon Falk tallied the secondary assist.
- Ahrenholz regained the lead for the Nanooks off a pass from Adam Cordona.
- Ahrenholz scored his second of the game out in front.
- Platter sealed the Nanooks' victory with an empty net goal.
Up Next
Augustana awaits its next opponent as it hosts the first round of the CCHA Quarterfinals on March, 7-8 (9 if necessary) in a best-of-three series. The Vikings secured the second seed in the CCHA playoffs Saturday night after results from around the league.
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