SIOUX FALLS — Adjusting to the speed of the college game typically takes time, but for Augustana freshman Joey DelGreco, the game is beginning to slow down.
The Vikings’ rookie forward scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period, and Augustana bounced back from its overtime loss the night before, toppling Bemidji State 5-1 Saturday at Midco Arena to cap off a thrilling day of action on campus.
DelGreco extended his goal streak to three games and also contributed an assist for the Vikings (5-5, 2-2 CCHA).
“It’s always a jump going from junior hockey to college obviously, but the last few games, I feel like our line’s just kind of gelled together real well,” DelGreco said. “As a whole team, we’ve been hanging onto pucks and playing our game of hockey, which is speed. We have a lot of skill guys on our team that can make plays.
“Just the last couple of games, it’s been almost easier hockey, and I owe a lot to all the guys around me.”
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
Brett Meerman led the way for AU with three points on an assist and two goals, including an empty-netter in the final seconds, while goalie Josh Kotai stopped 22 shots to pick up his fifth win of the season.
The Vikings never trailed in the game, as the fourth line got things going in the opening period. Midway through the period, a loose puck got away from DelGreco on the rush, and Colton Friesen buried it past Bemidji goaltender Mattias Sholl as Friesen’s legs were swiped out from underneath him. Hayden Hennen picked up a secondary assist on the tally.
The Beavers (4-5, 3-3) responded with the equalizer several minutes later on a goal from Reilly Funk, but that was all AU allowed on the evening.
The Vikings finished the game with a 28-23 advantage in shots on goal, including 10-5 in the first 20 minutes.
“I’m proud that they were able to respond after last night’s game with energy, and it showed up right away in the first period,” Augustana coach Garrett Raboin said.
Then, in the second, the Vikings were on the power play when BSU defenseman Tony Follmer attempted to clear the puck from behind his own net. However, it landed right in the midsection of Meerman, who dished it over to DelGreco.
After Sholl initially stopped the shot, DelGreco stuck with the puck and eventually snuck it across the goal line to give the hosts a 2-1 lead with 11:40 to go in the period.
“We needed to catch a break. It wasn’t pretty, but they found one,” Raboin said about the power-play tally. “It was just determination, nothing coaches draw up.
“They just had to work for one, and then you saw they kind of settled down a little bit.”
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
The Vikings broke out for three goals in the final period, starting with a goal from Tyler Hennen off a rebound after Evan McIntyre made a great play on the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Meerman then provided the final two goals, including a tally from Hunter Bischoff and Kotai that pushed the lead to 4-1 at the 13:04 mark of the period. Owen Bohn picked up a helper on Meerman’s empty-netter.
“Even when we were winning 2-1, we knew the game was far from over, so we wanted to keep pressing and not play on our heels the whole third period,” DelGreco said. “A lot of guys stepped up and made huge plays in the third period at the end there, so it took a little weight off the shoulders making it a 5-1 game.”
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
After a 4-3 overtime loss in Friday night’s series opener, Kotai was back in form on Saturday, making 11 saves in the final period alone while the offense provided goal support.
“I thought he was outstanding tonight. … He was back,” Raboin said about Kotai. “If we needed him tonight to win us the game, he would’ve done that.”
On the other side, Sholl stopped 23 shots in a losing effort.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
For just the third time this season, the Vikings finished the game with more shots than their opponent.
While winning the shot battle has been a point of emphasis for Raboin and his staff, the Augustana bench boss doesn’t want it to deter his players from making plays.
The balance in that is understanding when and where to make those plays.
“When you have a group and you’re trying to give them the freedom to make mistakes, trying to make plays, you can turn pucks over in some vulnerable areas,” Raboin said. “As they gain confidence and learn when to make plays and where to make plays, you’re able to hold onto pucks a little bit longer.”
Sholl, the reigning CCHA Goaltender of the Year, was his ordinary self through the first half of Saturday’s game, making several desperation saves in the early going.
“Our guys stuck with it though,” Raboin said. “We have to encourage our guys to continue to make plays, have confidence and keep the puck.”
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
A great day to be a Viking
It was a big Saturday across the landscape of Augustana athletics, beginning with the volleyball team’s 3-1 Senior Day win over UMary at the Elmen Center.
Then, Vikings runner Ryan Hartman claimed a first-place finish at the NCAA regional meet in Joplin, Missouri, while the women’s cross country team took the team championship.
The football team retained the Key to the City trophy and clinched a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title thanks to a 27-21 win over Sioux Falls at Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
It set up nicely for the nightcap at Midco, and the Vikings delivered.
“We had the last job that needed to be finished,” Raboin said, “and we’re fortunate for our guys to get it done.”
“That was just really special to cap the night off like that,” McIntyre said. “We saw some students flood in to watch us, and we were glad we could give them a good show tonight.”
Augustana 5, Bemidji State 1
Bemidji State 1-0-0 — 1
Augustana 1-1-3 — 5
First Period
1, AU, Colton Friesen (Joey DelGreco, Hayden Hennen), EV, 10:05. 1, BSU, Reilly Funk (Eric Martin, Kirklan Irey), EV, 13:31.
Second Period
2, AU, DelGreco (Brett Meerman), PP, 8:20.
Third Period
3, AU, Tyler Hennen (Evan McIntyre), EV, 11:46. 4, AU, Meerman (Hunter Bischoff, Josh Kotai), EV, 13:04. 5, AU, Meerman (Owen Bohn), EN, 19:55.
Shots on goal: Bemidji State: 5-7-11—23; Augustana: 10-10-8—28.
Power plays: Bemidji State 0-2; Augustana 1-4.
Saves: Mattias Sholl, Bemidji State, 9-9-5—23; Josh Kotai, Augustana, 4-7-11—22.
Three Stars
1. Brett Meerman
2. Joey DelGreco
3. Josh Kotai
