Story Links
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana hockey team (3-3, 0-0 CCHA) hits the road for a weekend series against St. Thomas, marking the commencement of CCHA conference play this Friday and Saturday. Fans can catch all the action streamed live on Midco Sports Plus via CCHA TV. More comprehensive coverage can be accessed through GoAugie.com/Live as well as the GoAugie app, which is kindly presented by The Original Pancake House. The app is conveniently available for download in both the App Store and Google Play.
The Tommies
St. Thomas (1-3-1, 0-0 CCHA) is looking to find their rhythm offensively, and they are currently led by dynamic forwards Mason Poolman and Cooper Gay, each netting three goals this season. Additionally, Liam Malmquist has contributed significantly to the team’s offense with five points, having scored two goals and provided three assists.
Aaron Trotter and Jake Sibell have been splitting time in goal, with each goalie participating in three games thus far. Trotter played a critical role in the Tommies’ 3-1 victory over Vermont, making an impressive 27 saves in his season debut.
The Tommies faced a challenging home-and-home series against then-No. 5 Minnesota, suffering back-to-back defeats, losing 7-1 and 6-2. In the latter matchup, St. Thomas experienced a grueling 27 minutes on the penalty kill, which significantly impacted their performance.
Before the season kicked off, St. Thomas was anticipated to be a strong contender, as they were picked to finish first in the CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll, earning three first-place votes. Meanwhile, in the CCHA Preseason Media Poll, they were projected to secure second place, receiving four first-place votes.
The Vikings
Augustana enters the weekend grappling with a two-game losing streak, concluding a challenging six-game road trip. They encountered tough competition against then-No. 12/14 St. Cloud State, narrowly losing both encounters by scores of 4-3 and 2-1. Notably, Christian Manz made his collegiate debut in goal during the second game, where he showcased his skills by stopping 28 shots, earning him the title of CCHA Rookie of the Week.
In a standout achievement, Josh Kotai was recognized as the CCHA Goalie of the Month on Wednesday afternoon after delivering a commendable 3-2 record over five starts, along with an impressive 1.63 goals against average and a remarkable .950 save percentage throughout October. This accolade marks the first monthly honor in the history of the program.
Augustana’s penalty-killing unit is currently leading the nation, successfully neutralizing 17 penalties this season, highlighting their defensive prowess and commitment to keeping the opposing team scoreless even when down a player.
Assistant captain Brady Ziemer exemplifies defensive tenacity, leading the Vikings with an impressive total of 16 blocked shots. Teammates Hayden Hennen, Will Svenddal, and Jeff Hutchinson have also contributed, each blocking double-digit shots across the first six games of the season.
On the offensive front, Owen Bohn is spearheading the scoring for Augustana with five goals and one assist for a total of six points, boasting a solid shot percentage of .333 during these opening games. Impressively, Bohn netted three goals against St. Cloud State, showcasing his offensive skills. A total of nine Vikings have scored at least once this season, indicating a balanced attack from the team.
Tickets for the remaining 12 home games are still available and can be easily purchased at GoAugie.com/Tickets.
– GoAugie.com –
**Interview with Coach Jamie Barlow of the Augustana Vikings Hockey Team**
**Editor:** Welcome, Coach Barlow! Thanks for joining us. As your team prepares for the upcoming series against St. Thomas, how do you feel about the team’s current momentum, especially after a challenging six-game road trip?
**Coach Barlow:** Thanks for having me! I believe our team is resilient, and while the two-game losing streak was tough, we learned a lot during our road trip. It’s a great opportunity for us to bounce back and focus on what we need to improve. We’re excited to face St. Thomas and start our CCHA conference play.
**Editor:** St. Thomas had a rough start this season, but their forwards, Mason Poolman and Cooper Gay, are showing strong individual performances. How do you plan to approach matching up against their offense?
**Coach Barlow:** It’ll be crucial for us to contain their forwards and limit their opportunities. Poolman and Gay have proven they can score, so our defensive strategy will focus on strong backchecking and maintaining pressure. Our goal will be to frustrate their forwards and force them into making mistakes.
**Editor:** With CCHA play commencing this weekend, how important are these early games for setting the tone for the rest of the season?
**Coach Barlow:** Very important! These early games in conference play can make a significant impact on our standings as the season progresses. It’s about gaining momentum and confidence within the league, and we want to assert ourselves right from the start.
**Editor:** Last question, fans can catch the action live on Midco Sports Plus and through the GoAugie app. How crucial is fan support for your players during this challenging stretch?
**Coach Barlow:** Fan support means the world to us! It gives our players an extra boost of energy, especially when we’re competing in crucial games like these. I encourage all our supporters to tune in and cheer us on. We’ll definitely feed off that energy!
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Barlow, and best of luck against St. Thomas this weekend!
**Coach Barlow:** Thank you! We’re looking forward to the games!
