Hockey | 2/21/2025 1:04:00 PM

La Crosse, Wisc. - Golden Eagle Hockey was set and ready to go for their morning matchup with the Adrian College Bulldogs. In a win or go home scenario, the Golden Eagles turned to netminder Adam Goody (So., G, Airdrie, Alberta) who finished the regular season with a 7-5-1 record, a 2.95 goals against average, and a .899 save percentage. In net for the Bulldogs was Alex Herman, who entered the tournament with an 8-6-1 record, a 2.74 goals against average, and a .928 save percentage.

The first 20 minutes were all Golden Eagles, with the first period shots being 21-6. Seven and a half minutes into the first, the first goal of the 2025 Central Regionals was scored by Aiden Morelli (Jr., F, Minot, N.D.) with a great shot from the slot. Ben Hines (So., F, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) and Griffen Sonstegard (Jr., D, Baudette, Minn.) added the assists. Just a few minutes later, Mitchell Coleman (Sr., F, Hatton, N.D.) put home his own rebound and the Golden Eagles doubled their lead, Rudy Moser (Fr., F, Langdon, N.D.) was the one to spring Coleman's breakaway. Not much later, on the penalty kill, the Golden Eagles would go down the ice with a two man breakaway, and Anthony Foster (So., F, Warroad, Minn.) buried a shot with Mason Romfo (Fr., F, Langdon, N.D.) picking up the assist. The Golden Eagles were heading into the middle frame with a 3-0 lead. 

The second period was no different. This Golden Eagles team carried the momentum from the first period into the second. The game was highly physical from both sides, but the Bulldogs physicality was no match for the Golden Eagles speed. It took a while for a goal, but with 5:57 left in the second, Fox Dodds (R-Jr., F, Watford City, N.D.) put the Golden Eagles ahead 4-0, with Jackson Dodds (R-Jr., F, Watford City, N.D.) and Logan Syrup (Sr., F, Park River, N.D.) tallying assists on the goal. The four goal lead was short lived, as Willie McGuire took the puck down the ice shortly after and scored to make it a 4-1 game. That would be the score heading into the third. 

The third period was all Golden Eagles once again. They controlled the pace of the period, putting all of the pressure on the Bulldogs. With eight minutes left on the clock, number eight, Jackson Fuller (Sr., F, Bloomington, Minn.) regained the four goal Golden Eagle lead off of a great pass from Mason Romfo, Fox Dodds also collected an assist on the goal. 25 seconds later, Bazl Cook cut the lead back down to three. The final 7:35 on the clock felt like it took forever, but Adam Goody stood tall and made sure that the score did not change. The Golden Eagles controlled the time of possession for the final 40 seconds, and secured the first round win. The Golden Eagles defeated the Bulldogs by a final score of 5-2. The Golden Eagles also dominated in the shots department, finishing with 52 to the Bulldogs 21.

The Golden Eagles opponent and game time for tomorrow are to be determined based on the results of the remainder of today's games.