Rihards Marenis netted a hat trick to lead the North Iowa Bulls over the Breezy Point North Stars, 12-2.
Marenis got on the scoresheet 11:09 into the second period. He then added goals at 8:04 into the third and at 12:42 into the third.
North Iowa\’s penalty kill excelled, as the Bulls gave up one goal despite allowing seven power plays.
North Iowa made Breezy Point\’s goaltenders to work all game long, getting 40 shots and forcing 28 saves. Joey Bergquist made 26 stops and Troy Pierce made two. The Bulls outdid their season average for goals scored. North Iowa averages 6.9 goals per game.
North Iowa additionally got points from Dominik Florian, who also grabbed one goal and three assists, Matt Kroska, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Matt Fosdick, who also registered one goal and three assists, Brandon Anderson, who also had one goal and one assist, Tim Santopoalo, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Wesley Iverson, who also finished with one goal and three assists. Austin Jackson also scored for North Iowa. More assists for North Iowa came via Cameron Brown, who had three and Chancie Hanson, Sam Naegele, Trey Gardner, and Jordan Moran, who contributed one a piece.
The North Stars were helped by Kyle Whipple, who registered one goal. Whipple scored on the power play 1:48 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Breezy Point. Breezy Point earned a power play opportunity when Anderson was put in the box for slashing. Mitch Pierson assisted on the tally. Breezy Point also got a goal from Benji Smieja as well. In addition, Breezy Point received assists from Crosby Steen and Blake Neumann, who each chipped in one.
Jordan Moran made 20 saves for the Bulls on 22 shots. North Iowa incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. The North Stars incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.