Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston hockey exploded for seven third period goals to skate past North Dakota State on Friday night in the first annual 'Teddy Bear Toss' game, 8-1.
 
Minnesota Crookston improves to 13-2 on the season to continue their record start.
 
The anticipation would be high at the Crookston Sports Center, as the fans would anxiously await to throw their stuffed animals onto the ice.
 
The throwing would have to wait, as the Golden Eagles would actually trail at the end of the first period, after the Bison would score on a goal from Nathaniel Bauer at the 12:34 into the first period.
 
In the second period, it wouldn't take long for the fans to throw the teddy bears on the ice, as Griffen Sonstegard (Fr., D, Baudette, Minn.) would find the back of the net on the power play, with assists from Dylan Neubauer (So., F, Thompson, N.D.) and Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.).
 
The score would stay tied at one heading into the third period. 46 seconds into the period, Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.) would score unassisted. That goal would turn out to be the game winner.
 
Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) and Syrup would score just 22 seconds apart, stretching the Golden Eagles lead to 4-1. Zach Larson (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) would get the assist on the Kallock goal, while Fuller and Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) would get the helpers on the Syrup goal.
 
Fuller would decide to get in on the goal-scoring party, adding one of his own at the 6:57 of the third period, on assists from Syrup and Zahradka.
 
Late in the third, Zahradka and Fuller would score once again, making it 7-1.
 
With seven seconds left, Garrett Formhals (R-Fr., F, Stewartville, Minn.) would score the first goal of his Golden Eagle career, putting the cherry on top of the 8-1 victory.
 
Fuller led the way with two goals and two assists in the game. A number of Golden Eagles would finish with three points, including Syrup, Zahradka and Kallock. Larson added two points, as did Sonstegard.
 
Braden Schmitz (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) didn't have to do much, seeing four shots and making three saves.
 
The Golden Eagles outshot the Bison, 60-4, in the game.
 
The Golden Eagles will look for their sixth sweep tomorrow afternoon at 2 P.M., from the Crookston Sports Center.