Crookston, Minn. – 46 saves from Braden Schmitz (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) and two third period goals from Tyler Zahradka (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) helped the Golden Eagles defeat the University of Jamestown, 4-2 inside the Crookston Sports Center on Friday Night.
 
With the win, Minnesota Crookston improves to 1-0-0 on the season, while the Jimmies fall to 1-3-0 on the young season.
 
Josh Pieper (Sr., D, Baudette, Minn.) joined the Golden Eagles on Monday. It took him all but 2:12 into his Golden Eagle career to score his first career goal on an assist from Austin Ryba (So., F, Thief River Falls, Minn.) and Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.).
 
The Jimmies would control much of the first period, but Schmitz made some giant saves in his first career collegiate start to keep the Golden Eagles in front by a goal heading into the first intermission.
 
The second period would also be a period where the ice would be tilted in favor of the Jimmies. Brandon Neas would get a loose puck in the slot and slap it past the right shoulder of Schmitz to get the Jimmies on the board and quiet the 389 fans inside the Sports Center.
 
Schmitz would once again have to make big saves in the second period to keep the score deadlocked at one heading into the final break of play.
 
Minnesota Crookston would rely on their stars to get them past the Jimmies. Kallock would score an unassisted goal at even strength to send the Golden Eagle faithful into a fury and give Minnesota Crookston a lead that they would not relinquish.
 
Four and a half minutes later, Zahradka would take a beautiful feed from Dylan Borseth (Jr., F, Williston, N.D.) and one-time it past the outstretched arms of Jimmy goaltender Samuel Potter to give the Golden Eagles a 3-1 lead.
 
Jamestown wouldn't go quietly. Just a minute later, Christian Jarmusz would throw a backhander at the net that Schmitz never saw to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 3-2 with 11:14 remaining.
 
With 10:10 remaining in the game, Zahradka would find a bouncing puck in the neutral zone and would have a breakaway, where he would wrist it bar down to give the Golden Eagles back their two goal lead at 4-2, which would be the final score.
 
The Jimmies outshot the Golden Eagles 48-27 in the game, including 18-8 in the first stanza and 17-10 in the final period. Special teams were a big factor in the game. The Jimmies were 0-5 on the power play, while the Golden Eagles were 1-1.
 
Zahradka collected two goals and two points on the night, while Kallock collected two points with a goal to lead the Golden Eagles on the night, while Pieper was the other goal scorer and had one point. Ryba, Nathan Huot (Fr., D, Red Lake Falls, Minn.) and Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) each collected an assist and a point on the night.
 
Schmitz had an unreal Golden Eagle debut, saving 46 pucks on 48 Jamestown shots, while Potter saved 23 out of 27 Golden Eagle shots.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston is back in action tomorrow afternoon as they look to sweep the Jimmies at the Crookston Sports Center tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 2 P.M.