Pokorny Scores Four Goals as Bulldog Hockey Sweeps Augustana on the Road

Sioux Falls, S. D. – Ferris State University's Stepan Pokorny had a hat trick in regulation and scored his fourth goal of the night with an overtime game-winner that propelled the Bulldogs to a 4-3 victory Saturday (Jan. 27) over the Augustana University Vikings at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Bulldogs (10-16-1) completed the sweep of Augustana and have won four games in a row, including a sweep of Lake Superior State University last weekend. Pokorny's massive performance put him in elite company for Ferris State. It was the first four-goal game for a Ferris State skater since Matt Verdone did it Oct. 15, 2005 against Army. Doug Smith and John Gruden each had a four-goal performance in 1994, and Gruden's is still tied for the most goals in a game by a defenseman in NCAA history.

Noah Giesbrecht drew the start for Ferris State and earned his fifth win of the year with a 34-save performance. With the win, the Bulldogs completed back-to-back sweeps for the first time since 2015.

Augustana got the first goal of the night at 9:17 in the first period from Will Howard. Jeff Hutchinson and Quinn Rudrud had the helpers. Howard's goal gave the Vikings their first lead of the series, but it would not hold for long.

Only 22 seconds later, Pokorny scored his first goal of the night. His fourth tally of the year tied the game 1-1 and came from Antonio Venuto and Kaleb Ergang.

Pokorny then put the Bulldogs up 2-1 at 14:20 in the second period. The Bulldogs sent multiple shots towards Josh Kotai in net for the Vikings, and Pokorny cleaned up the third rebound opportunity to give Ferris State a lead. Nick Nardecchia and Andy Noel assisted.

Augustana tied the game with a power play strike from Luke Mobley at 9:59 in the third period. Nardecchia took a five-minute major penalty that Mobley capitalized on, with assists from Ryan Naumovski and Brett Meerman.

Pokorny gave the lead right back to the Bulldogs at 14:32 with a power play strike of his own. His third goal of the night completed the hat trick and gave Ferris State a 3-2 lead. Nick Hale and Travis Shoudy assisted.

Arnaud Vachon tied the game again at 18:11 with the extra attacker on for the Vikings. His goal came from Naumovski and Hayden Hennen, forcing the first-ever overtime game in Midco Arena.

Finally, at 3:09 in the overtime period, Pokorny ended the game with his fourth goal of the night. He worked into the offensive zone down the left-wing side, ripping a shot from the faceoff circle that found the back of the net. His goal was unassisted and gave the Bulldogs a 4-3 win.

Ferris State is now 6-1-1 in games that go into overtime this year. For the game, Ferris State had 35 shots on goal, won 35 faceoffs, went 1-5 on power play tries and killed 4-5 penalties. Augustana had 37 shots on goal and won 35 faceoffs.

Giesbrecht was 34-37 on save attempts in his fifth win. Kotai made 31 stops on 35 shots faced, taking the loss for the Vikings.

Shoudy blocked four shots, Nico DeVita had three blocks and each of Andy Noel, Jack Mesic and Jason Brancheau had two blocked shots for the Bulldogs. As a team, Ferris State blocked 15 shots.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Friday (Feb. 2) in Ewigleben Ice Arena to face the Bowling Green State Falcons. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 6:30 p.m. (ET).