Blaine, Minn. – After a thrilling overtime victory last night, which saw Mitchell Coleman (So., F, Hatton, N.D.) tip the puck past the Golden Gopher goaltender, the Golden Eagles advanced to their first ever WCCHA semi-final game against the University of St. Thomas.
 
UST used a pair of early goals to fly past the Golden Eagles, 4-2, advancing to the conference championship tomorrow afternoon.
 
It would take the Tommies just 38 seconds to get on the board, as Zack Simon would sneak the puck past Jared Aamold (So., G, Breckenridge, Minn.), for a 1-0 lead.
 
The Tommies would score another one less than five minutes later for a 2-0 lead.
 
Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) would get the Golden Eagles on the board, with assists from Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) and Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.).
 
2-1 is how the first period would end.
 
UST would score midway through the second period to regain their two goal lead, but Fuller would score a highlight reel type goal on the power play, with assists from Zahradka and Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba).
 
Late in the second, the Tommies would once again find the back of the net for another two goal advantage.
 
In the third, the Golden Eagles would have some good chances, but couldn't get the puck past Sam Haupfear, who made 20 saves in the win.
 
Zahradka and Fuller would each lead the way with two points apiece.
 
Aamold would finish the night with 28 saves on 32 shots on goal.
 
Still sitting firmly at sixth in the Central Region rankings, Minnesota Crookston will now play in the third place game at 10:30 A.M., between the loser of a pair of Wisconsin schools, the University of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Eau-Claire. The game was tied at zero.