Second period powers #2 Huskies past #5 UND, 3-1

Saturday, December 9

St. Cloud, MInn.

7:07 p.m.

St. Cloud State

12-2-1, 7-2-1NCHC

University of North Dakota

10-5-5, 5-3-2NCHC

North Dakota

St. Cloud State

Mikey Eyssimont (#19) carries a puck into the offensive zone against UND on Dec. 9

Photo by: Maddie MacFarlane

12/9/2017 9:47:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

ST. CLOUD—A strong second period, including a pair of goals from junior forward Mikey Eyssimont, helped push the No. 2 St. Cloud State men's hockey team (12-2-1, 7-2-1 NCHC) past No. 5 North Dakota (10-5-5, 5-3-2), 3-1, on Saturday and into sole possession of first place in the NCHC.

After a scoreless opening frame, Eyssimont and the Huskies took advantage of their opportunities and erupted for three tallies in the middle period to build what proved to be an insurmountable lead. Freshman goaltender David Hrenak took over from there en route to a standout 34-save performance and his fifth win in six starts this season.

Sophomore forward Robby Jackson opened the scoring just over two minutes into the second period, jumping on a rebound in the slot for his team-leading seventh tally of the season. SCSU then pushed its lead to three, 3-0, courtesy of Eyssimont's brace—which, despite needing a review to confirm, came within a one minute span.

The Fighting Hawks pulled within two with a buzzer-beating goal just before the second intermission, but, thanks to Hrenak's effort, that was as close as they would come. The freshman netminder racked up 26 of his 35 saves over the final 40 minutes to keep UND at bay and push his team to the top of the conference standings.

Junior defender Jon Lizotte picked up a pair of helpers in the win for his second multi-point game in his last three outings.

St. Cloud State returns to action after break December 29-30 on the road at Princeton. Game time is 6 p.m. (CT) both nights. Hockey fans can listen to the non-conference series live on 96.7 The River.

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