WEST FARGO, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey team shot right into the 2022 portion of their schedule with a 6-3 win over North Dakota State University Saturday, January 15 at the West Fargo Sports Arena in West Fargo, N.D. The Golden Eagles were propelled by two goals from Gunner Ferrier (So., D, Baudette, Minn.). Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) had one goal and three assists.

Minnesota Crookston improved to 8-5-2 (3-2-2 WCCHA) with Saturday's victory. North Dakota State dropped to 4-5-2 in the WCCHA with Saturday's loss. Minnesota Crookston is on a hot streak as they have won four of their last five games.

Ferrier led the Golden Eagles with his second and third goals respectively for the season. Kallock notched his sixth goal of the season. He also has 16 assists on the year. Jackson Fuller (Fr., F, Bloomington, Minn.) finished with a goal and an assist. Dylan Neubauer (Fr., F, Thompson, N.D.) chipped in a goal and an assist. Tristan Morneault (So., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) added a goal and an assist, while Mitchell Coleman (Fr., F, Hatton, N.D.) finished with two assists.

In goal, Braden Schmitz (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) finished with 30 saves and three goals allowed. He also added an assist for the game.

North Dakota State was propelled by goals from Brady Swanstrom, Branden Lee, and Austin Schoenberg. In goal, the Bison looked to Tim Grounds, as he allowed six goals and notched 42 saves.

Minnesota Crookston jumped out to a 1-0 lead 1:24 into the game when Fuller found the back of the net off assists from Morneault and Alessandro Regina (Fr., D, Woodbridge, Ontario). The game was the first for Regina, who joined the team at semester after competing in the SIJHL with the Fort Frances Lakers and the Thief River Falls Norskies earlier this season. Less than 44 seconds later, Neubauer put it between the pipes to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 advantage. Coleman and Kallock picked up assists on the goal. At the 12:46 mark, Kallock scored on assists from Coleman and Neubauer to push the advantage to 3-0.

North Dakota State trimmed the lead to 3-1 six minutes into the second period when Swanstrom scored off assists from Schoenberg and Adam Novack. The Golden Eagles pushed the lead to 4-1 at the 11:47 mark when Ferrier scored off assists from Kallock and Fuller.

The Bison cut the deficit to 4-2 just 1:11 into the third period when Lee tallied an unassisted goal. Minnesota Crookston widened the gap to 5-2 at the 7:19 mark when Morneault scored off a Kallock assist. North Dakota State trimmed the lead to 5-3 at the 9:03 mark when Schoenberg tallied a goal off a Ryan Stalpes assist. Minnesota Crookston iced their win late in the third period when Ferrier notched a goal off a goalie assist from Schmitz.

Minnesota Crookston will finish their series with North Dakota State Sunday, January 16 at 9 a.m. at the West Fargo Sports Arena in West Fargo, N.D.