Crookston, Minn. – It took overtime, but Minnesota Crookston was able to hold off a late charge from St. John's University on Saturday afternoon at the Crookston Sports Center. Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba) found the back of the net 1:44 into overtime for the 5-4 win over the Johnnies.
 
The Golden Eagles improve to 18-4-1 on the season.
 
Both teams would start the first period playing a lot of time in the neutral zone, but at the 15:03 mark of the first period, Huska would find the back of the net on the power play with feeds from Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.) and Tristan Morneault (Jr., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick.
 
It would be 1-0 after the end of the first period.
 
It wouldn't take long for the Johnnies to answer, as Owen Quest would score less than two minutes into the second period, knotting the game at one.
 
SJU would take a 2-1 lead, but Syrup would answer on an assist from Jackson Fuller (So., F, Bloomington, Minn.).
 
Less than a minute later, Connor Thoennes (Fr., F, Greenway, Minn.) would give the Golden Eagles the lead. Mitchell Coleman (So., F, Hatton, N.D.) and Gunner Ferrier (Jr., D, Baudette, Minn.) would garner the assists.
 
The Johnnies would knot things up at three with just 20 seconds to go in the second period.
 
Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) would score his third goal of the weekend, giving the maroon and gold a 4-3 lead.
 
With 1:02 left, SJU would score with the goalie pulled, tying the game at four.
 
Huska would score on the 3x3 power play from the dot to give the Golden Eagles a huge win.
 
A number of Golden Eagles finished with two points, including Huska, Zahradka, Syrup and Morneault.


Wyatt Olsonowski (Fr., G, Hallock, Minn.) earned his first start in net and was outstanding, making 21 saves and earning the win.
 
The Golden Eagles will be back on the road next weekend as they head to Williston for a two game series with the Tetons. Puck drop on Friday is set for 7 P.M., on Friday night in Williston.