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Nigel Smith
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Matt Marchel
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(Crookston, Minn.) – Lawrence University opened up a 3-0 lead after one period but had to withstand a furious University of Minnesota, Crookston rally to hold on for a 5-4 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) victory this afternoon at the Crookston Civic Arena.
The Vikings took early control of the game as Nick Jennette scored an even-strength goal at 7:54 of the first period off assists from Marc Howe and Jim Crowley. They made the score 2-0 at 14:12 of the first period when Jonathan Bellotti scored an even-strength goal off an assist from Crowley. Lawrence University closed out the first period scoring at 18:19 when Corey Garrett scored a power play goal off assists from Matt Hughes and Josh DeSmit.
The Golden Eagles finally got on the board at 4:49 of the second period when Nigel Smith (Fr, Fwd, White Rock, B.C.) scored an even-strength goal off assists from Fred Kooser (Jr, Fwd, Omaha, Neb.) and Steve Tschirgi (Fr, Def, Neenah, Wis.) to cut the score to 3-1. The Vikings regained their three goal advantage at 8:58 of the second period when Hughes scored an even-strength goal off assists from DeSmit and Mike Ackley. U of M, Crookston responded at 15:14 when Smith scored a power play goal off assists from Matt Marchel (Jr, Def, Grand Forks, N.D.) and Kooser.
Lawrence University made the score 5-2 at 9:20 of the third period when Jameson Raymond scored a power play goal off assists from DiMarco and Aaron LaFave. With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Golden Eagle Head Coach Gary Warren decided to pull goaltender Bryan Dalbec (Fr, G, Superior, Wis.) and go with an extra attacker. The move paid off as Marchel scored a goal at 15:45 off an assist from Smith. The Vikings’ Sam Johnson was called for a major penalty after checking from behind at 16:41 putting U of M, Crookston on the power play for the remainder of the game. They responded as Smith scored his third goal of the game at 19:15 off an assist from Marchel to cut the lead to 5-4. However, the Golden Eagles were unable to find the back of the net despite a flurry of shots in the game’s final seconds.
Lawrence University’s Jim Ryan stopped 22 shots and recorded the victory. Evan Johnson started the game and recorded six saves. U of M, Crookston’s Dalbec recorded 38 saves.
Lawrence University improves to 11-9-1 overall and 11-4-1 in the MCHA. The Golden Eagles fall to 3-18-0 overall and 3-13-0 in the MCHA.
U of M, Crookston will return to action on Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7 when they travel to Hancock, Mich. to face Finlandia University in an MCHA series. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. (EST) and 3:15 p.m. (EST) respectively.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
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UMC News
