Hockey sweeps ASU Sun Devils
Augustana men’s hockey delivered a statement in its home opening series, rallying in both games to sweep No. 15/16 Arizona State at Midco Arena. The Vikings erased an early deficit on Friday night, winning 4–2 followed by a 5–2 victory on Saturday to improve to 3–1–0 on the season.
On Friday, Oct. 17, the Vikings erased a two-goal first-period hole to defeat the Sun Devils 4–2 in front of 2,710 fans. Goals from freshman Leonid Bulgakov, junior Owen Bohn, seniors Ben Trombley and Colton Friesen — all forwards — powered the comeback, while junior goaltender Josh Kotai made 26 saves.
“We just needed to settle in,” head coach Garrett Raboin said after Friday’s win. “Once our guys realized they could hang on to pucks and make plays, the game turned. From top to bottom, guys competed with heart.”
Arizona State scored twice in the opening eight minutes, but Bulgakov’s first career goal late in the period sparked the Vikings’ offense. Bohn tied the game early in the second before Trombley — returning from shoulder surgery last year — scored the eventual game-winner midway through the third. Friesen added an empty-netter to seal the deal.
Raboin highlighted the energy from his depth players, especially the fourth line of Trombley, Bulgakov and junior Will Howard, who combined for four points.
“Those guys just played with heart and together,” Raboin said. “We’re trying to figure out who we are, and nights like this help shape that identity.”
Trombley said the home crowd played a role in the team’s success.
“It’s awesome to score in this place,” he said. “The crowd erupts, and you can just feel the momentum build.”
The win marked Augustana’s second straight against an NCHC opponent, following a road split at Minnesota Duluth.
Saturday’s game brought a chance to test the team’s consistency — an opportunity Raboin said he was eager to see.
“We know how we respond after a Friday loss,” he said on Friday. “Now we’ll see how we respond after a Friday win.”
That response came in the form of five different scorers on Saturday, Oct. 18, to close out the weekend with a 5–2 victory and a series sweep over the Sun Devils.
Junior forward Jacob Jastrzebski opened the scoring just over four minutes into the first period, but Arizona State answered midway through to even the score. From there, Augustana took control.
In the second period, junior defender Hayden Hennen reclaimed the lead thanks to assists from Bulgakov and Trombley, the same fourth-line pairing that sparked Friday’s rally.
Later in the frame, captain junior forward Hunter Bischoff netted what became the game-winner — a shorthanded, unassisted strike that sent the night’s crowd of 2,913 into a roar.
Arizona State cut the deficit to 3–2 early in the third on a power-play goal, but the Vikings quickly shut the door. Junior forward Cole Burtch added an insurance goal midway through the period, and junior defenseman Owen Baumgartner capped the sweep with a shorthanded empty-netter.
Augustana outshot Arizona State 31–20 and killed five of six penalties in a game that showcased the team’s growing confidence on both ends of the ice.
With the sweep, the Vikings improved to 3–1–0 through two weekends, including three wins against non-conference opponents. They now look ahead to beginning their conference slate, riding a surge of belief Raboin said is “starting to take hold” inside the locker room.
Augustana will take on Bemidji State to kick off conference play on Oct. 24 and 25 in Bemidji, Minnesota.
