Hockey | 2/15/2025 7:53:00 PM

Devils Lake, N.D. - The Golden Eagles Hockey Team was ready for one final regular season matchup before heading to La Crosse, Wisconsin later this week. It would be the fourth and final matchup with the Lake Region State Royals. In net at the start of the game for the Golden Eagles was Braden Schmitz (R-Jr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) who entered the game with a 1.000 save percentage and a 0.00 goals against average on the season. For the Royals, it was Rowan Cherkas.

In the fourth game between these two teams this season, it seemed as though a rivalry was forming. It started off with a high intensity atmosphere, with plenty of hits and a number of chances. Fox Dodds (R-Jr., F, Watford City, N.D.) broke the ice just over 10 minutes into the opening frame with a goal that was assisted by Mason Romfo (Fr., F, Langdon, N.D.) and it was not the only goal of the period. Eight minutes later, the Golden Eagles doubled their lead thanks to a Ben Hines (So., F, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) goal. Dylan Neubauer (Sr., D, Grand Forks, N.D.) and Tristan Morneault (Sr., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) picked up the helpers on this goal. The Golden Eagles would take their 2-0 lead into the second.

Just a minute passed in the middle 20 before the Golden Eagles 2-0 lead was cut to 2-1 when Max Langton netted the Royals first of the game. With 8:31 remaining in the second period, Braden Schmitz would bid farewell to the net, in a homecoming game for the longtime Golden Eagles netminder, and Tyler Swanson (Fr., G, Moorhead, Minn.) was taking over for the remaining 28:31. Swanson would shut down both shots he faced before the end of the second, and it remained a 2-1 lead.

It took over 10 minutes, but the Golden Eagles found themselves some insurance with a goal from Anthony Foster (So., F, Warroad, Minn.) as Mason Romfo and Aidan McPhee (So., D, Brea, Calif.) added on assists for the two goal lead. The Golden Eagles were not able to hold onto that lead for very long due to a Carson Beaudin goal. Eight stressful, tightly contested minutes went by without another goal being scored, and the Golden Eagles downed the Royals 3-2, and were off to Regionals with a win.

The Golden Eagles return Friday, February 21st for their first round Regional matchup with Adrian College at 10 a.m. in La Crosse, Wisconsin.