The xNorth Iowa Bulls jumped out to a six-point advantage by the end of the first period and beat the Breezy Point North Stars, 15-0.
Logan Murphy had two goals and three assists to lead xNorth Iowa. Murphy scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 2:47 into the first period to make the score 1-0 xNorth Iowa. The Bulls earned a power play opportunity when Benji Smieja was put in the box for cross checking. Matthew Fosdick assisted on the tally. Murphy\’s next tally on the power play made the score 8-0 xNorth Iowa with 14:28 left in the second period. xNorth Iowa had taken the advantage when Breezy Point\’s Kole Kobel got sent off for tripping. Kyle Krueger provided the assist.
The Bulls forced the North Stars\’ goalies to work all game long, totaling 52 shots and forcing 37 saves. Troy Pierce made nine stops and Matt Memolo made 28. xNorth Iowa managed to stay out of the box better than usual, racking up one minor for two minutes in penalty time. The Bulls finished below its season average of 14.0 penalty minutes per game. xNorth Iowa bested its season scoring average. This season, the Bulls average 6.5 goals per contest. xNorth Iowa was effective with a man advantage, and put in two goals while on the power play. The Bulls got an offensive boost from their blueliners, who contributed four goals during the game.
xNorth Iowa also got points from Sam Naegele, who also had one goal and two assists, Richie Marenis, who also grabbed three goals and three assists to lead the team in points, Dominik Florian, who also registered one goal and three assists, Matt Kroska, who also finished with one goal and four assists, Fosdick, who also had two goals and two assists, Brandon Anderson, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Conor Jonasson, who also registered one goal and two assists, and Timothy Santopoalo, who also finished with two goals and two assists. Kurt Halbach also scored for xNorth Iowa. More assists for xNorth Iowa came via Chancie Hanson, Tyler Richison, Ian Penvose, and Trey Gardner, who contributed one a piece.
Breezy Point\’s offense operated below it season average. The North Stars put an average of 2.4 pucks into the net per game. Breezy Point did not challenge the opposing netminder, only getting 14 shots on net to force 14 saves.
Jordan Moran recorded 14 saves for xNorth Iowa. The North Stars incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.