TYLER ZAHRADKA SCORES THREE TIMES TO BACK JARED AAMOLD’S SHUTOUT IN UMC 3-0 WIN

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Men’s Club Hockey team came away with a 3-0 win in their first ever WCCHA League game as they defeated the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Friday night at the Crookston Sports Center. Tyler Zahradka scored a hat trick and Jared Aamold got the shutout and win in the net.

FIRST PERIOD

UMC controlled the early stages of the game and outshot the Fighting Hawks 6-1 in the first five minutes. It wasn’t until the 7:56 mark when UMC opened the scoring. Tyler Zahradka found the back of the net on a beautiful pass from Nikolai Rajala. Logan Syrup got the other assist and UMC took a 1-0 lead with 12:04 remaining in the opening frame. UND did go on the power play a few minutes later as Sam Baxter went to the box on a tripping call with 5:32 remaining in the opening frame. The UMC penalty kill rose to the occasion and didn’t even let a shot on goal preserving the 1-0 lead. Leo Troje would make a few great saves late in the period for the Fighting Hawks, and UMC would take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

SECOND PERIOD

UMC once again controlled the opening minutes of the middle frame and found the back of the net for the second time of the night. It was due in part to UND going to the penalty box. As the penalty expired, Tyler Zahradka scored his second goal of the contest at the 3:24 mark of the period. It was the exact same combination as Nikolai Rajala and Logan Syrup got credit for the assists. Each team had a few chances and went on the power play at times during the remainder of the period, but neither could capitalize. UMC outshot North Dakota 12-5 in the second frame and 41-16 on the night. The Fighting Hawks would begin the third period with a power-play after a late penalty on UMC.

THIRD PERIOD

UMC quickly killed the penalty and returned to full strength to start the final frame. A few minutes later UND would go to the penalty box and this time the Golden Eagles would capitalize. Tyler Zahradka would finish the hat trick with the man advantage and put Crookston in front 3-0 at the 8:00 minute mark of the period. Logan Syrup would be credited with his third assist on the night. After that Jared Aamold would make a few nice saves late to preserve the shutout and 3-0 victory for the Golden Eagles.

UMC moves to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in WCCHA League Play. UND falls to 0-5 with the loss. The two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. inside the Crookston Sports Center for the conclusion of the weekend series.

1st Period
7:56  –  UMC –  Tyler Zahradka  (3)  (Logan Syrup, Nikolai Rajala)

2nd Period
3:24 –  UMC  –  Tyler Zahradka  (4)  (Logan Syrup, Nikolai Rajala)

3rd Period
8:00 –  UMC  –  Tyler Zahradka  (5)  (Logan Syrup)    (PP)