CROOKSTON, Minn. -- The Lawrence University hockey team survived a pair of late goals late Saturday to post a 5-4 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association victory over the University of Minnesota-Crookston at the Crookston Civic Center.
Lawrence (11-9-1, 11-4-1 MCHA) swept the four-game season series from Crookston (3-18-0, 3-13-0) for the first time since the teams began playing in 1999. The Vikings outscored the Golden Eagles 20-4 in the four games.
The Vikings took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Nick Jennette opened the scoring at 7:54 of the first with his ninth goal of the season. Jon Bellotti made it 2-0 at the 14:12 mark, and Corey Garrett got a power-play goal with 1:41 left to put Lawrence up 3-0.
Crookston got on the board for the first time all season against Lawrence when Nigel Smith scored at 4:59 of the second period. Matt Hughes countered for the Vikings four minutes later to give Lawrence a 4-1 cushion. Smith scored on the power play at 15:14 to cut the lead to 4-2 heading to the final period.
Jameson Raymond gave Lawrence a 5-2 lead with a power-play goal at 9:20 to close out the scoring for the Vikings.
Crookston went to the extra attacker early and Matt Marchel scored at 15:45 to cut the lead to 5-3. Sam Johnson was later whistled for a five-minute checking from behind penalty, and Smith scored at 19:15 to complete his hat trick and cut the lead to 5-4.
The Vikings then hung on for the final 45 seconds to seal the win.
Jim Ryan made 22 saves in relief of Evan Johnson to pick up the win for the Vikings. Bryan Dalbec made 38 saves and took the loss.