In an intense ice hockey showdown during the Huskies' Winter Carnival, the Augustana Vikings men's team suffered a heart-wrenching 3-2 overtime loss to Michigan Tech. The game, held at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena, was a true back-and-forth battle. Despite Leonid Bulgakov etching his name in the Augustana record books with a new single-season goals record and goaltender Josh Kotai making an impressive 36 saves, the Vikings ultimately fell short. Michigan Tech capitalized on a late rally and sealed their victory in the extended period, leaving Augustana to regroup for their next match.
Michigan Tech Secures Overtime Victory Against Augustana Vikings
In a gripping hockey contest on Friday night, February 7, 2026, at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Michigan, the Augustana Vikings faced the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies quickly opened the scoring just 53 seconds into the first period. However, Augustana responded with equal swiftness. Following an early penalty against Michigan Tech, Leonid Bulgakov, with assists from Brett Meerman and Colton Friesen, netted a power-play goal at the 3:47 mark, tying the game at 1-1. This goal marked Bulgakov's 14th of the season, establishing a new single-season record for Augustana.
As the game progressed into the second period, Augustana seized the lead. Colton Friesen found the back of the net at 16:32, assisted by Owen Bohn and Maxwell Chakrabarti, giving the Vikings a 2-1 advantage heading into the intermission. The third period saw relentless pressure from Michigan Tech, culminating in a tying goal at 15:57, which forced the game into overtime. Just 2 minutes and 32 seconds into the extra frame, Max Koskipirtti scored the game-winner for the Huskies, clinching a 3-2 victory.
Throughout the match, Augustana's goaltender, Josh Kotai, displayed a stellar performance, deflecting 36 of 39 shots on goal. Key moments included Bulgakov's record-setting power-play goal, Friesen's go-ahead score in the second period, Kotai's crucial 17 saves in the third period that pushed the game to overtime, and ultimately, Koskipirtti's decisive overtime goal.
This tightly contested match serves as a compelling reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports, where a game can shift dramatically in the final moments. For Augustana, despite the loss, Bulgakov's record-breaking achievement and Kotai's resilient goalkeeping highlight individual brilliance and team effort. It underscores the importance of maintaining focus and energy throughout the entire game, especially against formidable opponents. The experience will undoubtedly fuel their determination as they prepare for the next encounter, aiming to convert close calls into victories.