APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University hockey team got an offensive explosion from Aaron LaFave to post an 8-7 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association victory Saturday over the University of Minnesota-Crookston at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
LaFave, who had scored only one goal all season, posted his first career hat trick that included the game-winning goal in overtime.
Lawrence trailed 3-1 in the first period, with LaFave's power-play goal at 6:31 the Vikings' only tally. The teams then traded goals before the Vikings scored three consecutive goals.
LaFave got that run started after teammate Scott Minarcik got sent off for charging at 6:30 of the second. LaFave took a pass from Austin Montgomery, and the short-handed goal at 7:45 cut the Crookston lead to 4-3. Josh Peterson got his second goal of the night on the power play at 15:38 to tie the score at 4-4. Lawrence then took the lead when Nick Jennette scored off a pass from Josh DeSmit to put Lawrence up 5-4 with 2:07 left in the second period.
Crookston tied the game just over a minute later when Matt Hann picked up his ninth goal of the season. Alex Maginnis, who had a huge night for the Golden Eagles, got his own hat trick when he scored midway through the third period to put Crookston up 6-5.
Lawrence battled back and tied the score on Jennette's goal less than a minute later. Marc Howe put Lawrence up 7-6 when he scored unassisted with 1:47 left in the game.
The Golden Eagles pulled their goaltender and the extra attacker helped them tie the score. Maginnis got his fourth goal of the night with just 1:01 left to knot the score at 7-7.
The first shot of the overtime was the only one that was needed. LaFave took a pass from Matt Jacobs and beat Jaden Isakson 2:47 into overtime for the game-winner.
Jim Ryan made 30 saves to pick up his fifth win of the season. Isakson made 22 saves and took the loss.