Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
16-8-6, 13-6-3
Augustana
19-10-3, 13-8-3
No. 18 Augustana Escapes Series Finale with Victory Over the Falcons on Saturday Night
February 14, 2026 | Ice Hockey
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 18 Augustana Vikings (19-10-3, 13-8-3 CCHA) used a two-goal second period to outpace the Bowling Green Falcons (16-8-6, 13-6-3 CCHA) on Saturday night, 4-2, inside Midco Arena.
After BGSU tied the game, 1-1, in the second period on a Tyler Hotson equalizer, the Vikings retaliated with two straight goals to take a commanding lead. With the CCHA's most efficient goalie, Josh Kotai, between the pipes, Augustana withstood the BGSU push as he made 32 saves, including 13 in the final frame.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Augustana broke through first when Easton Young fired a shot from distance with 5:33 left in the first period to score its first goal of the weekend. The goal came on Tyler Palmer, who entered the game 11:29 into the contest after an injury suffered by Jacob Steinman.
• BGSU bounced back to tie the game, 1-1, in the second period on Tyler Hotson's second goal of the weekend. After Ben Doran took the puck behind the cage, he passed it cross-ice to Breck McKinley, who sent it back across to Hotson at the crease for the equalizer 7:24 into the period.
• Augustana responded nearly four minutes later on a goal by Quinn Rudrud, taking a 2-1 lead.
• Hayden Hennen found the back of the net with 1:43 remaining in the second period, giving the Vikings a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.
• Brayden Crampton made it a one-score game, 3-2, with 10:25 left to play. His shot came courtesy of assists by Max Martin and Gustav Stjernberg.
• BGSU pulled the goalie while trailing by one, and Augustana scored an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left to secure the victory.
Here is a look at Tyler Hotson's second goal of the weekend!
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) February 15, 2026
🖥️: https://t.co/d65d1ItNIU pic.twitter.com/iST4RZm3Up
FALCON NOTES
• With the injury to Steinman, Tyler Palmer saw his first action between the pipes since Dec. 5, 2025.
• Tyler Hotson scored two of BGSU's three goals on the weekend.
• Breck McKinley added another assist Saturday night and has at least one point in three straight games. He finished the weekend with two assists and entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in the nation in assists by a defenseman.
• BGSU trades places with Augustana in the CCHA standings, with the Falcons falling back to fourth place (43 points), two points behind the Vikings (45) for third. Minnesota State stands in fifth place with 41 points.
UP NEXT
• BGSU returns to Slater Family Ice Arena Feb. 20-21 when No. 16 Minnesota State comes to Bowling Green. The Friday, Feb. 20 game is set for a 7:07 p.m. start and is First Responders Night. The Saturday, Feb. 21 game begins at 6:07 p.m. and is Senior Day, along with the SICSIC unveil.
