(Crookston, Minn.) – Northland College exploded for five goals in the second period, including three straight off the power play, and held on for an 8-6 victory over the University of Minnesota, Crookston in Midwest Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCHA) action tonight at the Crookston Civic Arena.
The Lumberjacks started the scoring at 4:34 of the first period when Jeff Diehl scored a power play goal to put Northland up 1-0. The Golden Eagles countered with two straight goals. Martin Husicka (Fr, Fwd, Vsetin, Czech Republic) scored a power play goal at 10:55 of the first period off of assists from Brent Groenke (Sr, Def, Morden, Manitoba, Canada) and Teal Plaine (Sr, Fwd, Hallock, Minn.). Alex Maginnis (Fr, Fwd, Mason City, Iowa) scored an even-strength goal at 16:00 to put U of M, Crookston up 2-1. He was assisted by Eddie Hanson (Fr, Fwd, Apple Valley, Minn.) and Collin Perry (So, Fwd, Grand Forks, N.D.). Northland College tied the game at 2-2 of a power play goal from Nick Mattson.
The Lumberjacks opened the second period with a short-handed goal by Pat Sierocinski at 6:21. Ryan Tucker (Sr, Fwd, Crookston, Minn.) tied the game at 3-3 with a power play goal at 6:47. He was assisted by Plaine and Matt Hann (Sr, Fwd, Crookston, Minn.). Matson put Northland College up 4-3 with a power play goal at 8:52. The Golden Eagles used an extra attacker to tie the game at 12:35 when Perry scored off an assist from Hann. The next 39 seconds saw the Lumberjacks erupt for three straight power play goals as Joe Belanger (19:20), Tony Huberty (19:44) and Zach Kozak (19:59) all scored to put Northland College up by a 7-4 score.
U of M, Crookston closed the gap to two goals 49 seconds into the third period when Tucker scored his second goal of the game in even-strength fashion off an assist from Hann to make the score 7-5. However, the momentum was short-lived as Rick Delecke scored an even-strength goal at 11:02 to put Northland up 8-5. Hann scored the final goal of the game off a power play at 17:47 from an assist from Groenke to make the final score 8-6 in favor of the Lumberjacks. The Golden Eagles out-shot Northland College by a 62-26 margin.
The Lumberjacks improve their record to 4-20-0 overall and 4-15-0 in the MCHA. U of M, Crookston falls to 5-19-0 overall and 4-15-0 in the MCHA. The two teams will meet again tomorrow in the final regular season contest for both squads. The puck drops at 4:05 at the Crookston Civic Arena.
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