Alaska
Senior Night sellout: Augustana hockey gets blanked by Alaska Fairbanks to close out regular season
SIOUX FALLS — The third-period push from the Augustana Vikings came with a fury on Saturday night, but it still wasn’t enough to knock Alaska Fairbanks goalie Lassi Lehti off his game.
Lehti made 30 saves, and the Nanooks took advantage of a five-minute major penalty late in the opening period and held on to blank the Vikings 2-0 in front of a sold-out crowd on Senior Night at Midco Arena.
Augustana (12-18-4) tallied 14 shots on goal in the opening 40 minutes of the game before putting together a 16-shot third period in which it gave Alaska (15-14-3) everything it could handle.
“Third period, that’s our guys. They want it,” AU coach Garrett Raboin said. “They wanted to find a way past that goalie and light the building on fire.
“It was a great crowd, but their kid was feeling good in there. He saw a lot of pucks. We probably needed a little better net-front presence, but it was a good hockey game, really close.”
Trent Singer / The Rink Live
With 5:29 remaining in the opening stanza, Lehti laid out to cover a puck as Augustana forward Luke Mobley skated across the top of the crease. It appeared to be a harmless play in real time, but after UAF coach Erik Largen challenged the play for contact to the head, officials determined there was enough evidence to warrant an infraction, sending Mobley to the penalty box for five minutes.
Raboin was rather brief in describing what he saw on the call.
“It was high in the zone,” he said. “Good challenge by their staff, I guess.”
It was the second night in a row the Vikings were whistled for a five-minute major. On Friday, they managed to kill one off without giving up a shot on goal.
But that wasn’t the case on Saturday, as T.J. Lloyd fired a shot from the right circle past Augustana goalie Zack Rose and into the far side of the net, giving the Nanooks a 1-0 advantage with 2:26 remaining in the first.
“One’s going to go in,” Raboin said. “That’s the tale of the night right there. The penalty call’s the tale of the night.”
Trent Singer / The Rink Live
It was Rose’s only blemish of the night after coming off back-to-back starts in which he didn’t allow a goal. The senior netminder finished the game with 25 saves, including 14 in the second period.
“He’s played well,” Raboin said about Rose. “Another Saturday, another strong performance by him. I feel like our team defended well in front of him for the most part. I think we probably had the better of the chances tonight. I’ll have to go back and watch.”
With 3:17 remaining in the game, the Nanooks were whistled for too many men on the ice, and Raboin used his timeout to add an extra attacker and set up something with the two-man advantage.
Augustana got some looks on the power but wasn’t able get any of its five shots on goal past Lehti, who got some help from the offense with a little more than 30 seconds to play on an empty-netter from Harrison Israels.
Trent Singer / The Rink Live
“Alaska Fairbanks is a well coached team,” Raboin said. “They play with a ton of energy, and they make it really difficult for you to find any time and space. And frustration can set in. We wanted the same game [as Friday] but just a little better. We were probably close to having the same game, but we know with our guys, if we get a goal, we take a whole new life.
“We weren’t able to get one past this kid. Credit to them and their team. They’re a really good team, and their goalie had a heck of a night.”
On Friday, the two teams played to a 2-2 tie before Alaska won the exhibition shootout. The Vikings finish the season series against the Nanooks with a 1-2-1 mark.
“All four games with these guys have been extremely close,” Raboin said. “Outside of the penalty in the first, it was a really good hockey game.”
Dave Eggen / Inertia
Prior to the start of the game, the Vikings recognized their six departing players as part of Senior Night festivities.
The group includes five fifth-year players in Anthony Stark, Arnaud Vachon, Chase Brand, Ryan Naumovski, Shay Donovan and Rose.
The six transfers are the first graduating class in the history of the program, and Raboin had no shortage of words in describing their impact.
“Regardless of the score tonight, there is a touch of sadness because you feel the end is near with this group, this family, for Year 1,” Raboin said. “For the guys that will be moving on from this program, their impact, they’re never going to leave us.
“These guys are the foundation of this whole program, and this program’s going to enjoy a lot of success. There’s going to be so many great nights, and they were the ones that set us up for success right from the start.”
The group makes up for 28% of the team’s total points this season, while Rose led the team’s goalie group in wins (six), minutes (863:31), goals-against average (2.71) and save percentage (.922).
Regardless of the score tonight, there is a touch of sadness because you feel the end is near with this group, this family, for Year 1.
Augustana coach Garrett Raboin
Raboin was complimentary of how they represented the inaugural program in the Sioux Falls community. He even pointed to Saturday night’s sold-out crowd as an indicator as to how that has been reciprocated.
“It’s easy to cheer for them because they do everything the right way,” Raboin said. “Blessed, fortunate, whatever word you want to use — everyone in it, from our staff to our players, has individual stories of how these guys have impacted them. They’re always going to be with us.”
The players are already working to begin the infancy of the program’s alumni base, as an annual golf event is in the works.
“I wish I could call myself an alumni of Augustana, but these guys are fortunate enough to do so,” Raboin said. “They’ve already got things going. They enjoy it here. This is their happy place, and these teammates are their brothers.”
Inaugural season capped by another sellout
Saturday marked the third sellout at Midco Arena and the first since its grand opening in January, with 3,097 fans on hand to take in the team’s final regular-season game of the season.
“There was a vision to bring hockey here because they felt like it could be something great. It’s proven true, and we’re just getting started,” Raboin said. “Our fan support, our students, new fans, new hockey people — the hockey community in Sioux Falls is pretty cool.
“We’re fortunate, and we’re really looking forward to the next one.”
The Vikings still have an exhibition series against the U.S. National Under-18 Team scheduled for next weekend at Midco Arena, but the regular season in their inaugural campaign is complete.
Augustana’s season ends with 12 wins and a number of signature moments. They are ranked 40th in the PairWise rankings and are ranked higher than all but three CCHA teams — Bemidji State (33), Minnesota State (36) and Michigan Tech (39).
“I didn’t have any expectations,” Raboin said. “I asked our guys not to have any expectations either because the ones that a lot of people were giving us were pretty low. That’s why we went with, ‘We hold the pen,’ because we wanted to write our own story, and we felt like if we gave our best every day for each other, we could have a chance.
“It’s been a pretty cool journey. There’s not many people who have been as fortunate as I am to go through something like this, but it’s been pretty cool.”
Alaska Fairbanks 2, Augustana 0
Alaska 1-0-1 — 2
Augustana 0-0-0 — 0
First Period
1, UAF, T.J. Lloyd (Kyle Gaffney), PP, 17:34.
Second Period
None
Third Period
2, UAF, Harrison Israels (Braden Birnie), EN, 19:26.
Shots on goal: Alaska: 5-14-8—27, Augustana: 7-7-16—30.
Power plays: Anchorage 1-3, Augustana 0-3.
Saves: Lassi Lehti, Anchorage, 7-7-16—30. Zack Rose, Augustana, 4-14-7—25.
Three Stars
1. Lassi Lehti
2. T.J. Lloyd
3. Harrison Israels
Veteran musher Jessie Holmes (bib # 7 ), of Brushkana, Alaska was the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint at 8:03 p.m. today with 16 dogs in harness, winning the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award.
First presented in 2019 and given to the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint, this award is presented by Lead Dog partner, Alaska Air Transit. First introduced in 2019, this award honors the first musher to arrive at the McGrath Checkpoint. The McGrath community shares deep ties to the Iditarod, and the award reflects that connection, featuring beaver fur mushers mitts with Athabaskan beadwork on moose hide, handcrafted by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath, along with a beaver fur hat made by Rosalie Egrass of McGrath. The award was presented to Holmes by Jessica Beans-Vaeao, Charter Coordinator for Alaska Air Transit
“Our team is excited to present this Spirit of Iditarod award in McGrath again this year. The Beaded Moose Hide and Beaver Mitts were made by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath, and the hand sewn Beaver Hat was made by Rosalie Egrass of McGrath. Rosalie Egrass was able to fly home on our plane that took our crew and the award to McGrath, which made for a pretty special trip! We are proud to be providing service to McGrath, and feel that all local Air Carriers represent the spirit of Iditarod throughout Alaska on a daily basis. It is great to be a part of the air carriers that service the state with essential supplies and transportation, and to be a part of the Iditarod in a meaningful way,” said Josie Owen, owner of Alaska Air Transit.
This is Alaska Air Transit’s eighth year sponsoring the Iditarod and seventh year presenting the Spirit of Iditarod Award. Alaska Air Transit offers crucial flight support statewide via air charter and provides scheduled service to the Upper Kuskokwim communities of Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna and Tatalina as well as the Prince William Sound communities of Tatitlek and Chenega.
The 2026 Alaska high school girls basketball state championships begin this week, and High School On SI has brackets for all four classifications.
The brackets will be updated with scores and matchups throughout the week.
All four classifications will play their state championship games at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
The 1A and 2A championships run March 11-14. Classes 3A and 4A play the following week, March 18-21.
Alaska High School Girls Basketball 2026 State Championship Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – March 10
3/11 – Shaktoolik (1) vs. Arlicaq (16)
3/11 – Kake (8) vs. Tri-Valley (9)
3/11 – Fort Yukon (4) vs. Andreafski (13)
3/11 – Sand Point (5) vs. Napaaqutgmiut (12)
3/11 – Scammon Bay (2) vs. Nunamiut (15)
3/11 – Akiuk Memorial (7) vs. Newhalen (10)
3/11 – Davis-Romoth (3) vs. Cook Inlet Academy (14)
3/11 – Hoonah (6) vs. Shishmaref (11)
3/12 – Seward (1) vs. Chevak (8)
3/12 – Metlakatla (4) vs. Cordova (5)
3/12 – Craig (2) vs. Susitna Valley (7)
3/12 – Glennallen (3) vs. Degnan (6)
3/18 – Barrow (1) vs. Kotzebue (8)
3/18 – Grace Christian (4) vs. Galena (5)
3/18 – Monroe Catholic (2) vs. Delta (7)
3/18 – Mt. Edgecumbe (3) vs. Kenai Central (6)
3/18 – Mountain City Christian Academy (1) vs. North Pole (8)
3/18 – Colony (4) vs. West (5)
3/18 – Bartlett (2) vs. Juneau-Douglas (7)
3/18 – Wasilla (3) vs. Service (6)
More Coverage from High School On SI
This is the Alaska Wall Tent by the Alaska Gear Company, each one is made in the United States from Sunforger 13oz DLX, a double-filled, pre-shrunk, marine-grade canvas ideal for longterm outdoor use.
The Alaska Wall Tent comes in an array of sizes and versions, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your individual use-case. They’re all individually made in Alaska, and perhaps even more importantly, they’re all tested extensively to be able to handle local conditions.
This is the Alaska Wall Tent by the Alaska Gear Company, each one is made in the United States from Sunforger 13oz DLX, a double-filled, pre-shrunk, marine-grade canvas ideal for longterm outdoor use.
History Speedrun: The Alaska Gear Company
The Alaska Gear Company was formerly known as Airframes Alaska, it’s an aviation and outdoor equipment supplier and manufacturer headquartered in Palmer, Alaska. The company is led by majority owner Sean McLaughlin, who bought the original bush airplane parts business when it had just two employees and $100,000 in annual revenue. McLaughlin has since grown it to approximately 100 employees and $20 million in annual sales.
The company can trace its early roots to a licensed maker of Piper PA-18 Super Cub fuselages at Birchwood Airport. Through a series of acquisitions, including Reeve Air Motive (an aircraft parts retailer operating out of Anchorage’s Merrill Field since 1950, Alaska Tent & Tarp, and Northern Sled Works, the company grew well beyond aviation into outdoor recreation and cold-weather gear.
That diversification ultimately drove the rebrand from Airframes Alaska to Alaska Gear Company in late 2023, as the old name no longer conveyed the full scope of what the company produces and sells.
The Alaska Gear Company now operates out of three locations – a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Palmer, a production facility in Fairbanks, and a retail store with an in-house sewing workshop at Merrill Field in Anchorage.
Its product lines span two major categories. On the aviation side, the company is best known for its hand-built Alaskan Bushwheel tundra tires, FAA-approved titanium landing gear, Super Cub fuselage modifications, and a wide range of bush plane parts. On the outdoor side, it manufactures Arctic Oven hot tents, canvas wall tents, custom freight and pulk sleds, and a modernized version of the iconic military bunny boot designed for extreme cold weather conditions.
More recently in 2024, the Alaska Gear Company was named “Made in Alaska Manufacturer of the Year” by the Alaska Department of Commerce.
The Alaska Wall Tent By The Alaska Gear Company
The Alaska Canvas Wall Tent is a handmade-in-Alaska canvas tent made from 13oz Sunforger DLX double-filled, preshrunk, marine-grade cotton canvas that’s treated to resist fire, water, and mildew while still remaining breathable.
It comes in four sizes, including 8×10, 10×12, 12×14, and 14×16 feet, all with 5-foot wall heights, and it’s available either unframed (starting at $1,295) or with a frame (starting at $2,300). The unframed version can be constructed in the field using lengths of wood sourced from the area, reducing the initial pack weight – this is crucial for trips into the wilderness by bush plane where every pound of weight is critical.
It comes in four sizes, including 8×10, 10×12, 12×14, and 14×16 feet, all with 5-foot wall heights, and it’s available either unframed (starting at $1,295) or with a frame (starting at $2,300). The unframed version can be constructed in the field using lengths of wood sourced from the area, reducing the initial pack weight – this is crucial for trips into the wilderness by bush plane where every pound of weight is critical.
All tents include a 4.5 inch oval stove jack for use with wood or propane stoves, as well as a 56 inch triangular rear window with insect screening, an 18oz vinyl sod cloth around the base to block drafts and moisture, ridgepole openings at both ends, rope-reinforced eaves, brass grommets, overlapping door flaps with ties, a heavy-duty zippered door, and 100 feet of sisal rope for tie-downs.
The tents are now available to buy direct from the Alaska Gear Company here, and at the time of writing they have stock ready to ship out immediately.
Images courtesy of the Alaska Gear Company
Articles that Ben Branch has written have been covered on CNN, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, the official Pinterest blog, the official eBay Motors blog, BuzzFeed, Autoweek Magazine, Wired Magazine, Autoblog, Gear Patrol, Jalopnik, The Verge, and many more.
Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with well over a million monthly readers from around the world and many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
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