SARTELL, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston scored two goals in the third period to upend Saint John's University Friday, December 1 at Bernicks Pepsi Arena in Sartell, Minn. The Golden Eagles were guided by Anthony Foster (Fr., F, Warroad, Minn.), Dalston Kelly (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) and Jackson Fuller (Jr., F, Bloomington, Minn.), who each had two point nights.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 11-3 (8-3 WCCHA) with the victory on the road. The Golden Eagles improved to 3-2 in road games this season. The Johnnies dropped to 5-6 with the loss to Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles are 4-0 all-time against Saint John's. Minnesota Crookston has picked up five-consecutive victories. Friday's game commenced an eight-game road trip for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston will not be at the friendly confines of the Crookston Sports Center until January 26, 2024 against Dakota College at Bottineau.
Kelly, Foster and Fuller each led the way with one goal and one assist apiece. Nathan Ayotte (Fr., F, St. Jean Baptiste, Manitoba) also added a tally for the Golden Eagles. Jake Huska (R-Sr., D, Preeceville, Saskatchewan) notched an assist.
Wyatt Olsonawski (So., GK, Hallock, Minn.) started in net and kept his undefeated streak, improving to 6-0. Olsonawski limited the Johnnies to two goals on the night. He holds a 2.41 goals against average to lead all netminders for Minnesota Crookston.
Minnesota Crookston broke the scoreless tie in the second period when Kelly scored 1:01 into the game off a Fuller helper. The goal was Kelly's second of his young career, and second in as many games.
Saint John's knotted the game 1-1 just 50 seconds later when Noah Hermanson scored off a Drew Schmidt assist.
The Golden Eagles pushed their advantage to 2-1 with 3:10 run off the clock in the first period when Fuller tied Fox Dodds (Jr., F, Watford City, N.D.) for the team lead in goals off an assist from Kelly.
The Johnnies answered with just 44 seconds left in the second stanza as Carter Hermanson scored off helpers from Brendan Hemr, and Schmidt.
The Golden Eagles broke the 2-2 tie 3:18 into the final period when Ayotte scored off an apple from Foster. Ayotte's goal tied Foster and Dodds for the team lead in goals with 11. The goal came on a power play, Ayotte's second power-play goal of the season.
Minnesota Crookston cemented the win with a power-play tally with 2:03 remaining in the game. Foster scored his eighth goal of the season off Huska's 16th assist of the season. Foster leads the team with 28 points this season.
Leo Troje suffered the loss in net for the Johnnies, allowing four goals.
Minnesota Crookston concludes the series with Saint John's Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m., in Sartell, Minn.
