Bulldog Hockey Tops Augustana 5-2 in First Ever Game at Midco Arena

Sioux Falls, S.D. – In what was the first-ever meeting between the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team and Augustana University, the Bulldogs prevailed with a 5-2-win Friday (Jan. 26) in the debut of Midco Arena.

The Bulldogs (9-16-1) spoiled the Vikings' home debut in their new rink behind a strong offensive performance and dominant defensive effort, led by a 35 save night from Logan Stein. Ferris State scored five goals for the fifth time this season, and the Bulldogs are now 5-0 in such games.

Austin McCarthy got the scoring started at 11:42 in the first period. McCarthy's first goal of the year came on a perfectly placed shot that beat Zack Rose for the first goal of the night with Holden Doell and Nick Hale assisting. His goal was also the first goal scored in Midco Arena.

Later, at 16:47, Caiden Gault scored his second goal of the season to give Ferris State a 2-0 lead. He raced down the ice past the Vikings' defense, then took a backhanded shot from near the red line and found the back of the net. McCarthy and Andy Noel assisted. For Noel, it was his first point of the year.

The Vikings scored their first goal at 19:49 in the second period. Luke Mobley beat the Bulldog defense to the left-wing side and placed a shot that found the back of the net for the Vikings' first strike of the night. Colton Friesen and Rose had the assists.

Friesen then tied the game at 6:57 in the third with Uula Ruika assisting. That was the last goal the Vikings would score, and the Bulldogs closed the game with three-straight goals.

Jack Mesic scored the game-winning goal at 8:23 of the third, his second of the season. Gault started a rush to Doell on the left-wing wall, who then fired a pass to Mesic crashing on the backside of the net for the scoring strike. Rose was injured after the play from a collision with a Viking skater, and he was replaced by Kayden Hargraves.

Ferris State then got a goal at 12:14 from Stepan Pokorny, his third of the season. Pokorny and Antonio Venuto pushed into the Viking side against three defenders. Pokorny fired a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that beat Hargraves and gave FSU a 4-2 lead.

Emerson Goode hit an empty netter at 17:21 for the fifth goal of the night. He was unassisted, and his sixth goal of the year sealed a 5-2 win for the Bulldogs.

Stein made 35 saves on 37 shots faced, earning his fifth win. McCarthy and Gault both had two points on 1-1-2 lines, and Doell finished with two assists. Shoudy blocked three shots, and Mesic finished +4 on the night.

Augustana had 37 shots on goal compared to 33 for Ferris State. The Vikings won the faceoff battle 29-26 and both teams had six penalty minutes, going 0-2 on their power play tries. The Bulldogs blocked 10 shots and finished with eight assists in the game.

Ferris State will be back in action Saturday (Jan. 27) in Midco Arena for the series conclusion against Augustana. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) with pregame coverage beginning on Sunny 97.3 FM at 6:30 p.m. (ET).