Hockey | 1/8/2025 2:30:00 PM
Crookston, Minn. - The Golden Eagles are back from their much needed month long break. The team went into break happy, recording their highest scoring weekend in program history, and the hope is that the high scoring trend can continue throughout the rest of the season. Their first test of the spring semester will be a familiar opponent in Dakota College at Bottineau, a matchup that has now been played eight times. Dakota College at Bottineau enters this weekend's matchup with a record of 8-6-0.
In their eight matchups with the Lumberjacks, the Golden Eagles have earned a 7-1-0 record. With 44 goals, the Golden Eagles are averaging 5.5 goals per game. The Golden Eagles have allowed 19 goals in those eight games, good for a 2.375 goals against average. The team will look to extend their win streak over the Lumberjacks to seven games this weekend.
This will mark the first time in program history that the Golden Eagles will play a series at two different sites. This is an untraditional home and home, as the second game will be listed as a home game for the Lumberjacks, but it will be played at a neutral site. This is the first time in program history that the Golden Eagles will have a home and home series.
Aidan McPhee (So., D, Brea, Calif.) is the Golden Eagles Player to Watch for this matchup. McPhee has been a consistent defenseman for the Golden Eagles since his debut against the Jimmies at the start of the 2023-2024 season. This season, McPhee has two goals and six assists for eight points in 15 games. McPhee's ability in his own end has been a major factor in the Golden Eagles success on defense this year. The Golden Eagles have limited their opponents to just 408 shots through their first 16 games, averaging just 25.5 shots against per game, and McPhee has been a crucial part of that.
The Golden Eagles are hoping to carry the momentum of their two game win streak, in which they scored 26 total goals, and go on a run to end the season. With just eight games remaining before the WCCHA Tournament in Blaine, the Golden Eagles need to start stacking wins. The Golden Eagles will play five of their remaining eight games at home, where they boast a 7-1-0 record. The Golden Eagles will hope to keep that going as they prepare for this final stretch.
The Golden Eagles and Lumberjacks are set for puck drop on Saturday, January 11th at 2 p.m. at the Crookston Sports Center. Sunday's matchup will take place at 3 p.m. in Rugby, N.D.
