The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s club hockey team swept the Lake Region State College Royals, as they picked up a 6-3 win Saturday afternoon in the Crookston Sports Center.
FIRST PERIOD
Fresh off a defeat last night, the Royals got an early offensive jump. Just three minutes into the game, LRS hit a top shelf goal from Matthew Beese to make it 1-0. The Golden Eagles would have a chance to steal some momentum back with a power play, as LRS’s Tyler Klenjan was sent to the box for a tripping penalty. LRS killed the penalty, but Klenjan would be penalized again for a hold moments later. UMC took advantage of the power play this time as Aiden Morelli made one from close range to tie the game at 1 a piece just over halfway through the period. UMC’s momentum would continue to build, as the Mason Romfo made another goal just a minute later, which gave UMC a 2-1 lead. The LRS offense picked up steam to end the period, but they were unable to convert on their three shots in the final minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
UMC dominated possession for the first seven minutes of the half, firing off several shots while only allowing LRS one attempt. With just under 7 minutes gone in the period, UMC’s Aidan McPhee was charged with a holding penalty. The man-up advantage gave the Royals a much-needed boost, as Brady Wicklund made an unassisted game-tying goal about 40 seconds into the power play. UMC had an answer two minutes later, as Aiden Morelli made one through heavy traffic in front of the net during a power play. Another LRS penalty came 13:19 into the period, and the Golden Eagles turned it into points. Zach Larson’s goal gave UMC a 4-2 advantage, which they could maintain for the rest of the period.
THIRD PERIOD
The Golden Eagles wasted no time in adding to the lead, as Mason Romfo scored his second of the day just 14 seconds into the final frame, making it 5-2. UMC was able to handle the puck consistently for the next 4 minutes, but the Royals were able to score on one of their few offensive chances. Tyler Klenjin scored unassisted for the Royals on a breakaway about five minutes into the period, cutting the UMC lead back to 2. On the rare occasion the Royals were able to create offense, the breakaway runs were stopped by UMC goalie Adam Goody. UMC’s offense kept its foot on the gas, attempting several more shots over the next few minutes. Defensively, UMC was able to break up the passing lanes and prevent an answer from the Royals. In the final minute, Zach Larson added on his second goal of the day to ice the game for the Golden Eagles at a 6-2 score.
UMC improves to 9-3 on the year and will host North Dakota State University on Saturday, November 30 at 4:00 p.m. Lake Region State falls to 5-9.
| Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final |
| Lake Region State | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| UMC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
1ST
3:23 – LRS – Matt Beese (Alex Gellner)
13:44 – UMC – (PP) Aiden Morelli (Zach Larson, Alexander Bailey) (PP)
14:33 – UMC – Mason Romfo (Tyler Lorenz, Tristen Morneault)
2ND
7:26 – LRS – Brady Wicklund (unassisted) (PP)
10:15 – UMC – Aiden Morelli (Jackson Dodds, Ben Hines)
14:36 – UMC – Zach Larson (Fox Dodds, Alexander Bailey) (PP)
3RD
0:14 – UMC – Mason Romfo (Anthony Foster, Tyler Lorenz)
5:25 – LRS – Tyler Klenjin (unassisted)
18:55 – UMC – Zach Larson (Anthony Foster, Mason Romfo)
| Saves | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
| LRC- Logan Hendrickson | 12 | 25 | 12 | 49 |
| UMC- Adam Goody | 6 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
