Tag: Sioux

Joey DelGreco scores game-winning goal in Augustana hockey’s bounce-back win versus Bemidji State – Sioux Falls Live

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.”

Augustana’s Joey DelGreco talks with teammate Simon Falk during a break in action against Bemidji State on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
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.”

Augustana’s Joey DelGreco celebrates after scoring a goal against Bemidji State on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
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.”

Augustana’s Tyler Hennen reacts after scoring a goal against Bemidji State on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
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.

Augustana’s Colton Friesen collects the puck against Bemidji State on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
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.”

Augustana’s Tyler Hennen celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Bemidji State on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.
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

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November 10, 2024

AU hockey notebook: Vikings return home to face Bemidji State following six-game road trip – Sioux Falls Live

SIOUX FALLS — Augustana coach Garrett Raboin believed his team had been playing a good brand of hockey heading into last weekend’s series against St. Thomas, but he knew that playing in a youth rink in front of 600-plus fans was going to be a unique environment for his players.

Raboin did his best to prepare his players for it, but the series opener resulted in a 4-0 win for the Tommies in which the Vikings never seemed to put it together.

However, the response Saturday was the kind of bounce-back performance Raboin wanted to see.

Augustana looked much more comfortable in the series finale, as a pair of freshmen each tallied their first collegiate goal in a 3-2 victory that gave the visitors a split in their first CCHA action of the season.

“It was a very even game, but we got good goaltending. Our penalty kill stepped up when we needed it to, and it was good for our guys to get a win,” Raboin said about Saturday’s game. “It’s so important in our league.”

Although the Augustana men’s and women’s basketball teams open the regular season this weekend in Missouri, the campus will certainly be busy with several other sports hosting action on campus.

The football team will face Sioux Falls on Saturday in what figures to be one of the biggest Key to the City matchups in the history of the rivalry, while the volleyball team hosts a pair of conference matches on Friday and Saturday.

Of course, there’s also the Vikings’ hockey team, which returns home following its six-game road trip. Augustana will take on reigning CCHA regular season champion Bemidji State in a two-game series at Midco Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s going to be a great weekend of athletics here,” Raboin said. “I think there’s an opportunity for fans to come early and stay late and make one heck of a weekend out of it.

“We’re excited to take the ice again in conference play, and we’re going to see a real strong team in Bemidji State. Hopefully we can get our end of the bargain done.”

Augustana's Ben Troumbly skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Augustana’s Ben Troumbly skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

Last weekend, Augustana (4-4, 1-1 CCHA) couldn’t get much of anything going Friday night. Tommies goaltender Aaron Trotter made 20 saves, while Matthew Gleason contributed a pair of goals to hand the Vikings their most decisive loss of the young season.

The following night, though, freshman Joey DelGreco got the scoring started early in the opening period, and the Vikings never trailed in the contest. AU goalie Josh Kotai stopped 38 shots, while Tyler Hennen, another freshman, provided the game-winning goal at 8:16 of the final period.

The response on Saturday was the continuation of a trend Raboin saw from his team last season, during which the Vikings were 3-1 in games that followed a shutout.

“It’s a great quality to have. It’s necessary,” Raboin said. “Splits are huge in college hockey, especially in our league, to capture something out of the weekend.

“Our guys care. We never question our guys’ energy or effort. Sometimes our youth gets in the way, and we will make mistakes. But our guys were able to learn from some of those things. We just looked like a team on Saturday, which was a good sign for our group.”

Bemidji State players celebrate after scoring a goal against St. Cloud State on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

For their first home series as full members of the CCHA, the Vikings welcome in one of the conference’s top teams.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, BSU was picked to finish tied for first and second in the media and coaches’ preseason polls, respectively. Last season, the Beavers went 8-1-1 to close out the regular season, finishing atop the league standings and winning the MacNaughton Cup for the first time since 2017.

Tale of the tape

Augustana		Bemidji St.
2.4	Goals/game	2.3
2.0	Goals allowed/game	2.3
25.8	Shots/game	28.7
32.1	Shots allowed/game	27.9
1-24	PPG	3-18
1-25	PPG allowed	3-17

Led by 24th-year coach Tom Serratore, Bemidji (3-4, 1-1) is coming off a split last weekend at home versus Minnesota State, winning 1-0 Friday before dropping a 2-1 defeat Saturday.

“They have a veteran presence. The goaltending has been really strong. They’re a darn good team,” Raboin said about BSU. “They’re going to be heavy all year and challenge for a home-ice advantage [in the playoffs], I’d imagine.

“They’re one of those teams that was picked in the preseason to finish right up there. They play fast. They’re in your face. They skate. They angle so well, and then they have a rock back there in the net. It’s going to be a real challenge for us.”

Bemidji State goalie Mattias Sholl keeps his eye on the puck against Minnesota State on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

That “rock” is Bemidji senior Mattias Sholl, who was named CCHA Goaltender of the Year last season. So far, Sholl has been solid again in 2024-25. He has started all seven of the Beavers’ games this season and already has a pair of shutouts to his name with a goals-against average of 2.24 and save percentage of .918.

A pair of upperclassmen, graduate student Carter Randklev and senior Jere Vaisanen, lead the BSU forward group with five points apiece, while Tony Follmer is the top contributor on the blue line with three points on one goal and two assists.

Fifth-year forward Jackson Jutting is the Beavers’ captain. Through seven games, he has three points (two goals, one assist) and is third in the conference in total face-offs taken (163).

Meanwhile, BSU defenseman Will Magnuson has a league-leading 24 blocked shots on the season.

Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore talks with the media after the Beavers defeated Minnesota State 1-0 on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

Raboin says the Beavers’ forward depth and ability to get out in transition is what stands out the most about their game.

“They’re fast. You have to try and stay on top of them,” Raboin said. “It’s a quick-strike, energetic group that don’t really give you time to take a breath because they’re always on top of you. They’re relentless, and they can skate.

“When you get your opportunities, then you’re going to run into a darn good goaltender. Hopefully you make the most of them, but you have to manage the game. You can’t get caught up in a track meet. You have to stay together, connected and just manage your emotions in the game and know you’re going to be in for a long night.”

Augustana's Tyler Hennen celebrates after scoring a goal against St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn. — Augustana’s Tyler Hennen celebrates after scoring a goal against St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn.

In a big spot on the road, DelGreco and Hennen delivered goals they’ll never forget.

The freshmen each tallied the first goal of their college career, bookending the scoring for the Vikings in their 3-2 triumph over the Tommies.

It was a game in which AU never trailed.

“It’s exciting to see as a coach. It’s something you want to see,” Raboin said. “They’ve done it once. Now, can they do it again?”

Augustana's Joey DelGreco skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Augustana’s Joey DelGreco skates the ice during practice Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

A native of Hallock, Minnesota, Hennen has three points on one goal and two assists and is fourth on the team with a plus-3 rating on the ice. Meanwhile, DelGreco, who hails from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has a goal and an assist.

Both rookies have played in all eight of the Vikings’ games this season.

“You’ve got to play the guys you recruit and help them develop, so for those two guys to get their first career goals, great. But they had an opportunity, and they took advantage of it,” Raboin said. “It was a big part of our win.”

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November 8, 2024

11A football: Dell Rapids eyes third straight appearance in state championship game – Sioux Falls Live

SIOUX FALLS — The Dell Rapids football team finds itself one win away from its third straight appearance in the 11A state championship game, but for the Quarriers, the road to the DakotaDome doesn’t get any easier this week.

The gauntlet of a highly competitive 11A field continues, as second-seeded Dell Rapids takes on No. 3 seed Lennox in an 11A semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday at Dell Rapids High School.

The Quarriers (8-2) head into the game after knocking off seventh-seeded Dakota Valley in a 17-6 decision Thursday in Dell Rapids. It was a game in which they limited the Panthers’ big-play ability, while senior Cole Ruesink got a kickoff return for a touchdown and a rushing touchdown to lift Dell Rapids to a gritty win.

“I thought our defense played at a championship level all game and kept Dakota Valley in check most of the game,” Quarriers coach Derek Genzlinger said. “Our special teams also played at a high level and played a huge role in winning the game.”

This season, Ruesink leads the charge for a Dell Rapids team that is averaging 5.8 yards per rush in a masterfully run Wing-T offense.

Ruesink has 1,167 yards and 14 TDs on 153 carries, while senior Quinn Carr has chipped in 467 yards and seven scores on 74 totes.

Dell Rapids’ Cole Ruesink taps his toes inbounds after coming down with an interception against Dakota Valley in an 11A state quarterfinal Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Dell Rapids.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live

Defensively, Ruesink has 28 tackles and a team-high eight interceptions, while junior Kenny Swanson’s 57 stops paces the Quarriers.

On the other side, the Orioles (8-2) are feeling confident after handing No. 6 seed Canton a 50-0 shellacking Thursday in state quarterfinal action.

Lennox is led by a group of nine seniors, including 6-foot-3, 210-pound quarterback Boston Katzer. Meanwhile, junior Tate Gerdes is heavily involved in the Orioles’ rushing attack.

Lennox’s Tate Gerdes runs with the ball against Sioux Falls Christian on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Lennox Football Field.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live

When the two teams take the field Friday night, it’ll be just 15 days removed from the last time they met. That game ended with Dell Rapids claiming a 26-12 triumph on the road in both teams’ regular-season finale.

“They are a team that has some great athletes at all spots on the field,” Genzlinger said about the Orioles. “We have to find a way to keep them in check as much as possible. It all starts with keeping their QB in the pocket and controlling where he can move. He extends plays very well from that standpoint.

“They play at a faster pace than any other team we play, so getting lined up is important. Defensively, they tackle very well and make you earn every yard.”

Sioux Falls Christian’s Lincoln Prins delivers a pass against Lennox on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Lennox Football Field.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live

Unbeaten SFC hosts West Central

In the other 11A semifinal, top-seeded Sioux Falls Christian (10-0) aims to keep its perfect season on the line, hosting No. 4 seed West Central (7-3) at 7 p.m. Friday at Bob Young Field.

The Chargers opened the playoffs Thursday with a 58-23 win over Rapid City Christian in which they had their best scoring output of the season.

“I really liked that we played a clean game,” SFC coach Jared Smith said about the state quarterfinal win. “We didn’t have any penalties, and that’s something that really helps an offense stay on pace.”

Defensively, the Chargers now have 29 takeaways, which is the most ever by an 11A team in a single season.

Sioux Falls Christian’s Canyon Prins is congratuled by teammate Brant Wassenaar after Prins made a defensive play against Canton on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live

Meanwhile, senior Lincoln Prins continues to efficiently guide SFC’s offense. The 6-1 signal caller has bested his own single-season school records in both passing TDs (23) and yards (1,803), which is especially impressive considering blowouts have allowed him to watch from the sidelines in the second half of several games this season.

The Trojans enter Friday’s game on the heels of a nailbiter last week, a game in which they eked out a 14-6 win over fifth-seeded Madison.

A trio of seniors lead the way for West Central in quarterback Caden Alfson, running back Aiden Bartmann and running back Karsen Wilde, and Smith understands that physicality is an essential element to the Trojans’ success.

West Central quarterback Caden Alfson hands the ball to running back Karsen Wilde during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 in Salem.
Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic

“Offensively, they will want to establish their run game and sustain long drives to limit our possessions throughout the game,” Smith said. “We would like to get them off schedule on first and second down and try to get them off the field as soon as possible.

“Throughout the season, the WC defense has given some different looks versus some similar things that we do. Our players will need to be prepared for the variety of ways they may align and defend our offense.”

The two teams last met in the regular-season opener when SFC came away with

a decisive 42-13 victory

at Bob Young Field.

Both state semifinal winners will meet in the 11A state championship game at noon next Saturday at the DakotaDome.

Trent Singer is a sports reporter for Sioux Falls Live. He focuses his coverage on Augustana men’s hockey and Sioux Falls area sports. Singer’s previous stops include Just Women’s Sports, the Southeast Missourian and the Kentucky New Era.

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November 6, 2024
Augustana hockey salvages series split at St. Thomas in first-ever CCHA series – Sioux Falls Live

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — In their first CCHA series as full members of the conference, the Augustana Vikings salvaged a split Saturday night at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.

Freshmen Tyler Hennen and Joey DelGreco each tallied their first collegiate goal, and Josh Kotai delivered another stellar performance between the pipes, propelling Augustana to a 3-2 win on the road against St. Thomas.

The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Vikings (4-4), who dropped a 4-0 decision against the Tommies in Friday’s series opener.

Augustana’s Luke Mobley and St. Thomas’ Matthew Gleason battle for possession of the puck on the face-off dot Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn.
George Dannecker / Tommie Athletics

On Saturday, Kotai finished with 38 saves, including 17 in the second period alone, to improve to 4-3 on the season.

Augustana never trailed in the contest. DelGreco got the scoring started at 3:03 of the opening period on a backdoor tip-in, with Simon Falk and Colton Friesen each tallying an assist on the goal.

Tommies forward Ryan O’Neill scored a power-play goal later in the period to even the game at 1-1. However, midway through the second frame, Brett Meerman moved the Vikings back ahead, 2-1, on a goal from below the faceoff dot, as Owen Bohn and Luke Mobley were each credited with an assist.

Then, at 15:10 of the second, Liam Malmquist scored an unassisted goal while the Tommies (2-4-1) were shorthanded, but that was as close as UST was able to get.

With 11:44 remaining in the game, Hennen provided the game-winning goal on passes from Garrett Drotts and Payton Matsui.

NCAAM

One of the state’s top scorers in high school hockey history Tyler Hennen scores his first NCAA goal. It’s a game-winner for the former Kittson County Central star. pic.twitter.com/iNDzAj0ftM

— YHH (@YouthHockeyHub) November 3, 2024

Brady Ziemer finished with five blocked shots to pace the Vikings defensively.

On Friday, goaltender Aaron Trotter provided a 20-save shutout to lift UST to victory. Matthew Gleason scored twice for the Tommies, while Liam Malmquist chipped in a pair of assists.

Despite holding UST scoreless through the first 20 minutes of the game, Kotai stopped 24 shots in a losing effort.

The Vikings will now turn their attention to a two-game set next weekend at Midco Arena versus Bemidji State, which opened conference play with a split at home against Minnesota State.

Trent Singer is a sports reporter for Sioux Falls Live. He focuses his coverage on Augustana men’s hockey and Sioux Falls area sports. Singer’s previous stops include Just Women’s Sports, the Southeast Missourian and the Kentucky New Era.

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November 3, 2024

AU hockey notebook: Augustana counts lessons learned as conference play begins at St. Thomas – Sioux Falls Live

SIOUX FALLS — The result last weekend wasn’t what the Augustana hockey team had hoped to get on the road, but coach Garrett Raboin believes there was a lot of value in the experience.

The Vikings were looking to carry forward the success away from their home arena, but despite staying competitive throughout the entirety of both games, they were dealt a pair of one-goal losses at then-No. 12/14 St. Cloud State.

However, there’s no time for AU to dwell on the past.

Raboin believes there was a lesson to be had in how the Huskies managed the game, and the Vikings will try and put that to use this weekend when they begin CCHA play with a Friday-Saturday series at St. Thomas in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.

“The second period in both nights, I felt, was the difference,” Raboin said about last weekend’s losses. “Line changes, puck placement, different things like that became really important. They’re a top 10 team in the country for a reason, and at that level, those things in close games matter so much.

“It’s something we talked to our guys about as our next step, identifying where we can grow there and making the corrections.”

Augustana's Colton Friesen skates with the puck while being defended by Long Island's John Gormley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Augustana’s Colton Friesen skates with the puck while being defended by Long Island’s John Gormley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

For Augustana (3-3), Owen Bohn tallied three goals on the weekend, including two in the first period of the series opener, but the Vikings were never able to extend their one-goal lead.

A goal by Josh Zinger in the final minute of the opening frame sent both teams into the first intermission tied at 2-2. Then, the Huskies got goals from Nick Portz and Daimon Gardner in the second stanza, and despite a third-period tally from defenseman Owen Baumgartner — his first as a Viking — AU wasn’t able to get the equalizer against Huskies goalie Isak Posch in the final five minutes, falling 4-3.

On Saturday, freshman goaltender Christian Manz got his first collegiate start for Augustana, stopping 28 of 30 shots. However, the Vikings’ offense was held in check by Posch, whose only blemish was a goal by Bohn that tied the game at the 4:20 mark of the second period. A little more than three minutes later, Zinger lit the lamp to seal the final score, 2-1.

AU finished with a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal in the final frame, but it still wasn’t enough to beat Posch, who recorded 26 saves to improve the Huskies to 6-1 on the season.

In the aftermath of the sweep, the Huskies jumped up to No. 10 in the national polls, while Manz was named CCHA Rookie of the Week for his efforts between the pipes.

“We like where our group’s at right now,” Raboin said. “We feel like it’s in a solid place. Guys are starting to develop a confidence that they should take and a belief from playing some of the bigger teams in the country, as far as where they’re ranked nationally.

“There’s some things that our guys should be excited about and carry with them into the future.”

The Vikings will play truly meaningful league games for the first time this weekend after CCHA member schools voted earlier this summer to allow them to become a full members of the conference a year early.

Augustana's Payton Matsui skates with the puck against Long Island on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Augustana’s Payton Matsui skates with the puck against Long Island on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

Through three non-conference series to open the season, Raboin believes his team has learned a lot about itself in a short amount of time, and he hopes his team will carry those lessons into the start of conference play.

“There’s some chemistry that’s starting to build within your group,” Raboin said. “You’re seeing some special teams get more reps.

“Those are things that hopefully can put you in a better place entering league play, but this league’s so darn tough. You go back to Mankato winning the league six straight years in a row under Mike Hastings and their record in the league. It was challenging for them, and those are teams that went on to Frozen Fours and a national championship game. The CCHA is a darn good league. It’s super deep, and it’s a night-to-night dogfight.”

St. Thomas' Mason Poolman celebrates after scoring a goal against Vermont on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn. — St. Thomas’ Mason Poolman celebrates after scoring a goal against Vermont on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Saint Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minn.

With a 1-3-1 record on the year, the Tommies’ October slate didn’t go quite as smoothly as they had hoped, but the start of conference play offers an opportunity for them to reset.

UST, which is led by fourth-year coach Rico Blasi, opened the season at home with a 1-0 loss against SCSU before earning a tie and a win the following weekend against visiting Vermont.

Then, last weekend, St. Thomas faced its toughest test yet with a two-game set against then-No. 5 Minnesota. The Tommies dropped the first game, 7-1, in Minneapolis before turning around the next night and getting knocked off in a 6-2 decision at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

“You have to take the score out of last weekend. That’s not indicative of the series,” Raboin said about UST, which was picked as the preseason favorite to win the conference. “They’re a darn good team, and they’re going to make it really difficult for us to really create anything or find time and space.

“Our guys are going to have to accept how hard it is if they want to have any success.”

St. Thomas vs Minnesota — St. Thomas head coach Rico Blasi looks on during a non-conference matchup against Minnesota on Oct. 13, 2023, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

St. Thomas is in its fourth year as a Division I program and has steadily improved each season since its first at college hockey’s highest level in 2021-22.

Sophomore Mason Poolman is tied for the team lead with five points (three goals, two assists) and was named Wednesday as the league’s Defenseman of the Month. Forward Liam Malmquist has five points on two goals and three helpers, while team captain Lucas Wahlin and alternate captain Cooper Gay each have three points for the Tommies.

Between the pipes, UST has split time between its two standout netminders, Aaron Trotter and Jake Sibell, both of whom have combined for a 3.93 goals-against average through five games. Trotter is 1-1 with a 3.50 GAA and .889 save percentage, while Sibell has a 0-2-1 record, 4.26 GAA and .867 save percentage.

Tale of the tape

Augustana		St. Thomas
2.7	Goals/game	2.2
1.7	Goals allowed/game	4.0
27.2	Shots/game	30.2
31.5	Shots allowed/game	32.2
1-12	PPG	0-17
0-17	PPG allowed	4-21

“I think hungry is what you see in their game,” Raboin said. “They’re quick to close time and space. They pressure pucks all over the rink. They have two outstanding goaltenders. You notice their captain all the time, just his energy and his compete. They have good size.”

In 2020, St. Thomas’ athletic department made an ambitious leap, going immediately from Division III to Division I in all sports. The hockey program was accepted as a member of the CCHA, and several years later, plans for the new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena were set in motion with hopes of opening in the fall of 2025.

In May, though, St. Thomas announced plans to leave the CCHA and join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, beginning in 2026-27. For this season and next, the Tommies remain ineligible to earn the league’s automatic bid for winning the Mason Cup Playoffs.

Augustana's Brady Ziemer skates the ice prior to the start of a game against St. Cloud State on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. — Augustana’s Brady Ziemer skates the ice prior to the start of a game against St. Cloud State on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

The month of October has gone pretty well for the Vikings in their two years of existence.

Augustana now has a 6-5-1 all-time record in the opening month of the season, and there are trends this time around that might be indicative of a little more staying power.

Defensively, the Vikings are among the best teams in the nation. They are currently averaging a league-best 1.67 goals allowed per game, which is tied with top-ranked Denver for sixth best in the country.

Raboin says it’s due to the execution of playing a selfless brand of hockey in which all five skaters are committed to defending as a unit.

“There’s a lot of elements we’re really pleased with during our start,” Raboin said. “Now entering league play, the stakes go up. It’s going to be fun to get into league play and see where our guys are at.”

Long Island's Riley Wallack skates with the puck while being defended by Augustana's Will Svenddal on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Long Island’s Riley Wallack skates with the puck while being defended by Augustana’s Will Svenddal on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

AU ranks second in the conference with 17.7 blocked shots per game. Senior blueliner Brady Ziemer leads the Vikings with 16 blocks.

Additionally — and perhaps most importantly — Augustana boasts one of the top netminders in the country in Josh Kotai, who was recognized Wednesday as the conference’s Goaltender of the Month. The sophomore from Abbotsford, British Columbia, is one of just four goalies in the country with two shutouts already this season.

In five starts, Kotai leads the conference with a .950 save percentage that is also tops in the nation among goaltenders with 100 or more saves on the season. He also boasts a 1.63 GAA that ranks second in the league behind only Minnesota State’s Alex Tracy and sixth in the country among goalies with 200 or more minutes in net.

Between Manz and Kotai, Raboin has been thrilled with the play from his goaltenders.

“Both guys have pushed each other. Kayden Hargraves is in that goalie room, too, pushing that group,” Raboin said, “but I told our guys, ‘It’s nice to get recognized with a goalie of the month honor, but usually you have to have a goalie that’s working a little too hard.’

“That’s our next evolution is to maybe not have him so busy, but I’m excited about [Kotai] for this month.”

Augustana's Owen Bohn pats teammate Joey DelGreco on the head after Bohn scored a goal against Long Island on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls. — Augustana’s Owen Bohn pats teammate Joey DelGreco on the head after Bohn scored a goal against Long Island on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls.

Bohn’s three-goal weekend vaulted him to the top of the conference in goal scoring.

The sophomore forward has a CCHA-best five goals on the season. He has 15 shots on goal and is converting on 33% of those shots.

“He’s had a great start to the season,” Raboin said. “I think this weekend, with the three-goal performance at St. Cloud State, that was exciting for us because he had been scoring, but it was flashes of lightning. He had a better game possessing pucks. We felt like his legs were underneath him. He had more sustained offense.

“His game was just overall better on the weekend, and he’s a talented player. He’s one guy we’re going to need to rely on for offense.”

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November 1, 2024

Tag: Sioux

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