CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey program opens up the 2022 portion of their schedule as they head to North Dakota State University to face the Bison Saturday, January 15 and Sunday, January 16 at West Fargo Sports Arena for a pair of WCCHA games.

The Golden Eagles come into the weekend with a 7-5-2 (2-2-2 WCCHA) mark. UMN Crookston is currently fifth in the Northwest Division. North Dakota State is tied for second in the Northwest Division with a 4-4-2 WCCHA mark.

Minnesota Crookston wrapped up the 2021 portion of their schedule going 3-1 in their last four games. The Golden Eagles have wins over regionally ranked teams University of Minnesota, Dakota College-Bottineau, and Williston State College. The Golden Eagles are currently ranked 15^th in ACHA Division II.

The Golden Eagles are led by Tyler Zahradka (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) with 18 goals this season. Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) comes in with seven goals and a team-high 18 assists. 2020-21 ACHA Division II Second Team All-American Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) has five goals and 13 assists on the year. Dylan Borseth (Jr., F, Williston, N.D.) has posted six goals and eight assists, while Tristan Morneault (So., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) has three goals and 10 assists.

In goal, Braden Schmitz (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) leads the team with a 3.53 goals against average in over 339 minutes in between the pipes. Jared Aamold (Fr., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) comes in with a 3.67 goals against average, while Jake Sumner (So., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) has a 3.97 goals against average.

North Dakota State has been guided by Branden Lee with six goals and four assists on the season. Jack Stensgard comes in with four goals and five assists. Brady Swanstrom has six goals and two assists, while Robert Lawler has five goals and two assists.

In goal, Tim Grounds has appeared in five games with a 4.10 goals against average. Drake Decker has played in six games with a 4.59 goals against average.

The last WCCHA game for the Bison came with a series November 19 and 20 against Saint Johns University. North Dakota State was swept in the series.