CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey team concluded the 2021-22 season Saturday, March 5 with a 7-0 loss to defending ACHA Division II National Champion University of Mary.
The game capped off their season back on the ice. UMN Crookston finished the year 15-10-2 (7-3-2 WCCHA). It was their inaugural year in the WCCHA. The Golden Eagles finished second in the Northwest Division of the WCCHA, and they made the WCCHA Tournament. UMN Crookston finished sixth in the WCCHA Tournament. UMary improved to 33-5-2 with the victory. The Marauders will compete in the ACHA Division II Tournament Monday, March 14 against the University of Wisconsin. UMary is in Pool D and they will play Indiana University Tuesday, March 15, and Northeastern University Wednesday, March 16.

The Marauders were led by Alex Flicek with one goal and two assists. Kyler Moore finished with two assists. Garrett Freeman added one goal and one assist, as did Zach Garrett. In goal, Conan Hayton had 26 saves, and put up a clean sheet.

Braden Schmitz (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) got the start in goal, and allowed three goals over 31:02. He had 24 saves. Jake Sumner (So., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) came in during the second period. He played 28:58, with 26 saves, and four goals allowed.

The Marauders got on the scoreboard at the 9:29 mark of the first period. Garrett scored, with assists from Moore and Drew Lenertz. UMary extended their lead to 2-0 when Flicek scored off a Seth Cushing assist late in the first period.

In the second, Tanner Eskro put one through, off assists from Garrett and Moore. At the 8:53 mark, Freeman added a tally, off assists from Flicek, and Connor Hanson. With 3:59 left in the second period, Marshall Tschida scored, off a helper from Braeden Zaste.

UMary pushed their lead to 6-0 in the third when Cushing scored off assists from Flicek, and Freeman. Andrew Heckaman put the stamp on the victory with a short-handed goal at the 7:13 mark.

Minnesota Crookston was led on the season by Nikolai Rajala (Fr., Coleraine, Minn.). He finished with 42 points, on 18 goals, and 24 assists. Tyler Zahradka (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) led the team with 26 goals on the season. Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.) finished with 13 goals and 21 assists, while Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) had 12 goals and 22 helpers.

In goal, Jared Aamold (Fr., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) led the way with a 3.63 goals against average, while Schmitz finished the year with a 3.82 goals against average.

Minnesota Crookston has a very young core to their roster, as they have 16 players who are either sophomores or freshmen.