Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston used a hat trick from
Tyler Zahradka (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) and two goals from
Nikolai Rajala (Fr., F, Coleraine, Minn.) to halt a four-game winless streak and defeat the University of Minnesota, 6-2 in the Crookston Sports Center on Saturday.
Minnesota Crookston also stopped a nine game winning streak as well for Minnesota.
The Golden Eagles improve to 3-3-2 overall and 2-2-2 in WCCHA play.
Much like they did yesterday, the Gophers would get on the board early after Zahradka would bounce one off of his own teammate and would find his own net behind the back of Golden Eagles
Jake Sumner (So., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) to take a 1-0 lead.
It wouldn't take long for Zahradka to put one in the Gophers net after taking a beautiful feed from
Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) to tie things up at one.
31 seconds later, Rajala would find the puck in the slot and put it past Chase Kvaal to give the Golden Eagles their first lead of the weekend at 2-1.
Zahradka would put it where mom leaves the cookies at even strength to score his second of the night to put the Golden Eagles up 3-1.
Tristan Morneault (So., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) and
Jackson Fuller (Fr., F, Bloomington, Minn.) each picked up an assist.
Rajala would find the back of the net for his second of the night on a beautiful feed from Kallock to cap off a 4 goal first period, taking a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
The second period wouldn't see any scoring, as Sumner would make some huge saves on a pair of Gopher man advantages to keep the score at 4-1 heading into the second intermission.
Zahradka would collect his second hat trick of the season 34 seconds into the third period on the man advantage to make it 5-1.
Morneault would collect his third point of the night, scoring a goal on a rebound to put the game out of reach at 6-1. Fuller would pick up his second assist.
The Golden Gophers would score late in the third to make the final score 6-2.
The Golden Eagles would have three players that collected three points on the night. Zahradka had three goals, Kallock collected three assists, while Morneault collected a goal and two assists. Fuller, Rajala and
Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) each collected two points on the night.
Sumner was good in goal, making 35 saves, including 14 in the second period to pick up the win.
The Golden Eagles took six penalties for 23 minutes in the game and were 1-3 on the man advantage.
What's Next
The Golden Eagles are back in action next weekend as they travel to Jamestown for a weekend series with the Jimmies. Both games on Friday and Saturday are set for 7 P.M.
