Hockey: Vikings seek first CCHA win after perfect non-conference start
Augustana enters the conference weekend with a 5-0-1 record, but every game has been decided by a single goal.
By David Marshall ·
Four of the 57 Division I men's hockey teams have not lost a game this season. The No. 11 Augustana Vikings are one of them. The squad holds a 5-0-1 record after completing a second straight non-conference sweep. They will now turn their attention to Central Collegiate Hockey Association play, starting with a two-game series against Northern Michigan at Midco Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
The Vikings earned their latest victories by beating Ohio State. Leo Bulgakov scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 decision on Friday. The following night, Augustana took a four-goal lead in the first period before Northern Michigan scored two goals in the final minutes to make the final score 4-3. It marked the first time in program history that the Vikings swept a Big Ten opponent. Coach Garrett Raboin said the team used the non-conference phase to prepare for the CCHA, noting that conference play is a different challenge.
Bulgakov, a sophomore from Minsk, Belarus, has six goals, leading all CCHA skaters. He is tied for third in the nation in goals scored. His 30% conversion rate is the highest in the conference among players with at least 10 shots on goal. Raboin said Bulgakov wants to improve his overall game beyond scoring. Senior defenseman Owen Baumgartner added a goal and an assist against Ohio State. He was named CCHA Defenseman of the Week on Monday, his first such honor.
Goalie Mathis Langevin has started all six of Augustana's games. The 6-foot-5 sophomore ranks third in the league with a 1.94 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He averages 27.5 saves per contest. Raboin said Langevin has settled into his role well, aided by the team's defensive structure. Goalie coach Taylor Nelson has been credited with helping the unit maintain a high level of play.
Northern Michigan enters the series with a 2-4 record. The Wildcats are led by third-year coach Dave Shyiak. The team returned 13 players from last season and added 14 newcomers. Goalie Oliver Auyeung-Ashton has started all six games for NMU. He holds a 2-4 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Raboin described the Wildcats as a team that skates well and has belief in its locker room.
The Vikings have a 7-0-1 all-time record against Northern Michigan. Last season, Augustana outscored the Wildcats 10-2 in four games, including a sweep in January where goalie Josh Kotai recorded back-to-back shutouts. The Wildcats were picked to finish last in the CCHA by both the media and coaches. Raboin said his team must earn the puck and play clean to succeed in the conference.
Despite the unbeaten record, the Vikings have not won a game by more than one goal. They are 3-0-1 in overtime and 4-0 in games where the opponent scored first. Raboin said the group is comfortable playing tight games because they have been in many such situations over time. The team is ready to face the points system of the CCHA, where there are no off nights.
