CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey program is set for their second-consecutive WCCHA Tournament at the NSC Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. The Golden Eagles have been in the WCCHA for two seasons and have made it to Blaine both years. Minnesota Crookston finished fifth in the KRACH Rankings and are coming into the tournament as the fifth seed.

 The Golden Eagles open play on Friday, February 10 at 8 p.m., on rink one, against the University of Minnesota. The winner will advance to play the winner of the University of St. Thomas and Saint John's University Saturday, February 11 at 5 p.m., on rink one. The loser will play the loser of the University of St. Thomas and Saint John's University Saturday February 11 at 5:30 p.m., on rink two.

Minnesota Crookston
The Golden Eagles enter the WCCHA Tournament with a 20-4-1 (12-3-1 WCCHA) mark. Minnesota Crookston is ranked 19^th nationally, and sixth in the ACHA Division II Central Region.
Minnesota Crookston is led by Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.), who has had an outstanding 2022-23 campaign. He has 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points overall. He is a Top 10 scorer in ACHA Division II.

Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) comes into the weekend with 17 goals and 24 assists. Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) has been a staple in the line-up for the last three seasons and has 20 goals and 14 helpers. Zach Larson (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) comes in with 15 goals and 17 assists.

On defense, Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba) comes in with 11 goals and 19 assists, while Gunner Ferrier (Jr., D, Baudette, Minn.) has six goals and 14 assists.

In between the pipes, Minnesota Crookston has utilized four goalies this season. Jared Aamold (So., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) has the most time in net this season. He has a 2.41 goals against average. Braden Schmitz (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) comes in with a 2.79 goals against average. Jake Sumner (Jr., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) comes in with a 2.41 goals against average, while Wyatt Olsonawski (Fr., G, Hallock, Minn.) has a 2.40 goals against average in three games.

Minnesota
The Golden Eagles split with the Golden Gophers earlier this season December 3 and 4. Minnesota Crookston lost 7-2 on Saturday, but won 6-2 Sunday. Minnesota comes into the tournament as the No. 4 seed. They won the WCCHA Northwest Division. The Gophers have a 15-14 mark this season. Minnesota is ranked 21^st nationally and seventh in the central region.
The Gophers are guided by Jack Kimlinger, with 12 goals and 22 assists. Shane Griffin comes into the weekend with 17 goals and 16 assists. Michael Scherer leads the team with six power-play goals. Overall, he has 12 goals and 13 helpers. He is the team's top scoring defensemen. Blake Woodson comes into the weekend with eight goals and 11 assists.

Matthew Bryant has played 18 games as the netminder for Minnesota. He is 7-7, with a 2.51 goals against average. Cecil Meredith has seven games this season, with a 1.50 goals against average.

Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is ranked second in the central region. The Tommies are the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and they are ranked fourth in the nation. Saint Thomas has a 24-4 mark on the 2022-23 season.

The Tommies are led by Josh Hermes, with 24 goals and 26 assists. Justin Johnson comes in with 15 goals and 29 assists, while Triston Johnson has 22 goals and 19 helpers. Derick Breezee is the top-scoring defensemen, with nine goals and 29 assists.

In goal, Samuel Haupfear has played in 14 games, and has a 2.18 goals against average. Jack Taverna has appeared in eight games, and has a 1.80 goals against average.

Saint John's
Saint John's has a 9-9 mark on the season. The Golden Eagles swept the Johnnies January 27 and 28. They are led by Sawyer Schugel, with 13 goals and 10 assists. Carter Hermanson comes in with six goals and 16 assists, while Owen Quast has 11 goals and eight helpers.

In goal, Benjamin Monsivais has played eight games and has a 4.96 goals against average. Nathaniel Gfoerer has also played eight games and has a 4.64 goals against average.

Wisconsin
The Badgers are on the other side of the bracket as the No. 2 seed. Wisconsin is 12^th in the region. The Badgers come into the weekend with an 18-10 mark. Wisconsin is the defending WCCHA Tournament champion. They hoisted the Carla Berg Cup last season, and went on to win the Central Region.

Wisconsin is led by Ian Barbour with 21 goals and 21 assists. Jacob Feldt comes in with 10 goals and 19 helpers. In goal, Sean Goss has 12 games played with a 3.62 goals against average. Joseph Berg has 11 games played and has a 2.44 goals against average.

Jamestown
The Jimmies are the No. 7 seed in the tournament. They are 15^th in the central region. Jamestown has a 12-11 mark this season. Minnesota Crookston swept the Jimmies to open the 2022-23 season.

Jamestown is led by Joshua Hoffman, with 15 goals and 14 assists. Tyler Ralph comes in with 15 goals and six assists. At netminder, Jordan Lott leads the way with 14 games played. He has a 2.99 goals against average.

Minnesota Duluth
The Bulldogs are the No. 3 seed in the tournament. They have a win, and won the shootout earlier this season against the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Duluth is 19^th in the central region. UMD has a 17-5 mark.

Minnesota Duluth is guided by Frank Savard with 14 goals and 10 assists. Chase Holcomb comes into the weekend with nine goals and 10 assists. In goal, Wyatt Pilkenton has a 2.36 goals against average in seven games, while Luke Grote has a 2.98 goals against average in seven tilts.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Wisconsin-Eau Claire is the No. 6 seed in the tournament. They are 14^th in the central region. Wisconsin-Eau Claire has an 11-9 mark.

The Blugolds are paced by Isaac Lindstrom with 14 goals and 18 assists. Martin Moioffer has 13 goals and 13 assists. In goal, Francisco Gomez has 17 games played. He has a 3.45 goals against average.

Golden Eagles In The Tournament
Last season, Minnesota Crookston lost the opening round game 4-3 to Wisconsin-Eau Claire. They went on to defeat Gustavus Adolphus College in the consolation round, but fell in the consolation championship to the University of Minnesota.

Schedule
Friday, February 10 –
(4) Minnesota vs. (5) Minnesota Crookston – 8 p.m. – NSIC Super Rink 1
Video - LiveBarn ($)
Saturday, February 11 -
(5) Minnesota Crookston vs. (1) Saint Thomas/(8) Saint John's – 5 or 5:30 p.m. – NSC Super Rink 1 or 2 (depending on win or lose Friday)
Video - LiveBarn ($) if lose, WCCHA Live - YouTube if win Friday.
Sunday, February 12 –
WCCHA Championship
Video - WCCHA Live - YouTube