SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Augustana) – Augustana hockey soared to a weekend sweep over Bowling Green with a 4-1 win Sunday night to cap off its inaugural home weekend. 

Augustana hockey’s inaugural season is presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard

Augustana lit the lamp early as Uula Ruikka fired in his sixth career goal from the top of the circle off a failed breakout attempt from the Falcons. Ruikka’s goal sparked the first of three goals for the Vikings in the first frame. Hunter Bischoff picked off a cross ice pass from BGSU and rang one home from the top of the circle for his second goal on the weekend, before Brady Ziemer added to the fun with a goal from the point off passes from Luke Mobley and Ben Troumbly. The first period concluded with a shot total of 16 to 15 in favor of AU.

The second period saw a different Bowling Green squad, as it carried a majority of possession through the entire 20 minutes of play. Bowling Green’s offensive prominence led to a Falcon goal by forward Ryan O’Hara off a two on one rush from an Augustana turnover in the offensive zone. Bowling Green recorded 18 shots to Augustana’s five. 

The Vikings’ rallied in the third period as it shifted momentum back in its favor with a first career goal from freshman Brett Meerman at the 13:50 mark. Meerman tucked the puck past the Falcon keeper off a slick pass from Ryan Naumovski. 

Meerman’s goal closed the scoring, as the Vikings rode the 4-1 score to the final horn.

Game Moments

  • Zack Rose carried Saturday’s performance into Sunday’s content as he recorded 42 saves on 43 shots. 
  • Brett Meerman tallied his first career goal in the third period to secure the Vikings second win on the weekend. 
  • Seven different Vikings tallied points. 
  • Defenseman Hayden Hennen soaked up a game-high four shots as 11 different Vikings recorded blocked shots. 
  • The Vikings closed the weekend with a pair of victories in their first ever contests against CCHA foes.

Goals

  • Uula Ruikka opened the scoring with a shot from the top of the circle off a failed breakout attempt from the Falcons. 
  • Hunter Bischoff erupted the crowd as he sealed his second goal on the weekend with a slapshot past the keepers blocker. 
  • Brady Ziemer joined the action with a goal from the point off passes from Luke Mobley and Ben Troumbly.
  • Bowling Green’s Ryan O’Hara tallied the only Falcons goal in the second period off a two on one break. 
  • Brett Meerman secured the final dagger with his first career goal past the keeper’s outstretched pad. Ryan Naumovski collected an apple on the play. 

Up Next
Augustana takes the week to rest before heading west, first at Denver on Oct. 27 before finishing the weekend with Colorado College on Oct 28.