CAMROSE, AB - Off to a strong start, the visiting Concordia Thunder defeat the Augustana Vikings 4-1 in Friday night's season opener at Encana Arena.

With the win, the Thunder get off to a 1-0 start, while the Vikings will have to wait until next weekend for a shot at their first win of the season.

Help in the victory was captain Matt Benko and assistant captain, Tyler Benko, both netting a goal and an assist. Second-year forward Brandon Wallis found the back of the net twice to round out the night for the Thunder. Backstopping the team to a win was netminder Griffin Bowerman with 26 saves.

The Viking's lone goal was scored by rookie Jordan Mish, while fellow rookie Daniel Moody made 30 saves on 32 shots.

In just five minutes into the opening frame, the Thunder found themselves on the board after a powerplay goal scored by Matt Benko. Four minutes later the Vikings evened the score with Mish finding the netting after a set-up from captain Jarod Hovde and Jackson Siemans. The goal-scoring wouldn't stop there, as the Thunder managed to score another special teams goal, this time a short-handed from Wallis for his first of the night.

After a goalless second period and a seemingly quiet third, the Vikings were in need of an equalizer, opting to pull Moody with a minute and 15 seconds on the clock, leaving the door open for two empty-net goals to close out the game in a 4-1 Thunder win.

Looking ahead, both teams will have to wait until next Friday, November 18th to hit the ice again. The Thunder will host Portage College at 7:00 PM MT, while the Vikings will Welcome the SAIT Trojans to the Encana Arena for a 7:30 PM MT puck drop. Catch all the action on ACACTV.