CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey team will conclude the 2021-22 season Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5 at the Crookston Sports Center against the defending ACHA Division II National Champion University of Mary. UMary is the top team in the final West Region rankings, while the Golden Eagles are ranked 20^th in the final Central Region poll. The games will be the final games for UMary before the ACHA Division II National Tournament in Maryland Heights, Mo. March 10-20 at the Centene Commmunity Ice Center.

A pre-game social sponsored by UMC Teambackers will be held prior to Friday's game against the Marauders from 5:30-7 p.m. at Drafts Sports Bar and Grill right next door to the Crookston Sports Center.

UMary at Minnesota Crookston
Friday, March 4 – 7 p.m.
Live Stats – https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary
Live Video - https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/

Saturday,. March 5 – 2 p.m.
Live Stats – https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary
Live Video - https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/

The Golden Eagles enter their final games of the season with a 15-8-2 record. They finished the WCCHA season with a 7-3-2 mark, ending the year second in the WCCHA Northwest Division. They placed sixth at the WCCHA Tournament played February 11-13 in Blaine, Minn.

Minnesota Crookston has been led on the season by the play of freshman Nikolai Rajala (Coleraine, Minn.). He leads the team with 41 points, with 18 goals, and 23 assists. Tyler Zahradka (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.), is the team's leading goal scorer this season, with 26 goals on the year. 2020-21 ACHA Division II Second Team All-American Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) comes in with 13 goals and 21 assists. Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) has made an instant impact as a newcomer with 12 goals and 21 assists. Tristan Morneault (So., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) comes into Friday with seven goals and 18 assists, while Jackson Fuller (Fr., F, Bloomington, Minn.) has five goals and 20 assists.

In goal, Jared Aamold (Fr., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) has led the way with a 3.34 goals against average in over 485 minutes in between the pipes. Braden Schmitz (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) comes into Friday with a 3.73 goals against average in over 644 minutes this season.

UMary
The Marauders captured the 2021 ACHA Division II National Championship, and they are looking to defend it. UMary enters the weekend with a 31-5-2 mark. They have won 13-straight contests. Their last loss came December 4 to Minot State University.

The Marauders have been led on the year by Alexander Flicek, with 21 goals and 27 assists. Zachery Garrett comes into Friday with 19 goals and 26 assists. Seth Cushing enters the weekend with 21 goals and 23 assists for UMary. Garrett Freeman has 21 goals and 21 assists, and leads the team with eight power-play goals. Johnny Witzke comes into Friday with seven goals and a team-high 32 assists.

In goal, Kyle Hayden has seen the most time, and has a 1.69 goals against average with 610 saves. Conan Hayton comes in with a 2.03 goals against average.