CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey team, ranked 17^th in the nation, took down Saint John's University 7-2 Friday, January 27 at the Crookston Sports Center. The Golden Eagles scored four goals in the second period to spearhead a winning effort. Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) picked up two goals for the Golden Eagles, as did Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.).

Minnesota Crookston improved to 18-4-1 (12-3-1 WCCHA) with the win. The Golden Eagles remain in second place in the WCCHA Northwest Division. They have already secured a spot in the WCCHA Tournament February 10-12 in Blaine, Minn. Saint John's dropped to 7-8-0 with the loss.

In addition to Zahradka and Fuller, Morneault had a goal and an assist. Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.) had two assists. Dylan Borseth (Sr., F, Williston, N.D.) and Dylan Neubauer (So., F, Thompson, N.D.) also accounted for goals. 

In net, Wyatt Olsonawski (Fr., G, Hallock, Minn.) allowed two goals, and made 31 saves for the Golden Eagles. He had a .939 saves percentage.

Saint John's was propelled by goals from Abe Melek and Owen Quast. In net, Benjamin Monsivais allowed seven goals, with 40 stops.

The Johnnies jumped on the scoreboard first, 24 seconds into the tilt when Quast scored off assists from Brock Hildenbrand and Logan Woods. UMN Crookston had the equalizer late in the first when Morneault found the back of the net. 

The Golden Eagles picked up a power-play goal at the 7:38 mark of the second period, when Borseth added a tally off apples from Sunderland and Griffen Sonstegard (Fr., D, Baudette, Minn.). UMN Crookston pushed their lead to 3-1 at the 13:12 mark when Fuller scored off assists from Syrup and Austin Ryba (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.). Less than a minute later, Zahradka scored, with help from Morneault and Ferrier. UMN Crookston added a final tally in the second at the 16:25 mark when Fuller scored off assists from Ferrier and Syrup to make it 5-1.

Melek scored early in the third period for the Johnnies to cut the deficit to 5-2. UMN Crookston countered at the 8:16 mark with a goal from Neubauer off assists from Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba) and Sunderland to make it 6-2. The Golden Eagles added their final tally in the 11^th minute when Zahradka scored for the third time of the night. He had aid from Ferrier and Sam Baxter (So., D, Grafton, N.D.).

Minnesota Crookston was 1-of-2 on power plays for the night, while Saint John's went 0-of-3.

The Golden Eagles return to the ice to finish the series with Johnnies at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 28 at the Crookston Sports Center.