Lawrence beat Minnesota Crookston twice this weekend at the Appleton Family Ice Center, picking up some crucial points as the regular season winds down.
Lawrence is currently third in the MCHA standings and hosts second-place Finlandia next weekend. The Vikes continue their important second-half swing with games against league leading MSOE before finishing out the regular season against Marian.
Friday evening started off well for Lawrence with a power play goal by Joe Searl just 1:22 into the first period. Seven minutes later Jesse Jacobs rippled the net, bringing the score to 2-0.
The second period saw two goals from Marc Howe and Kalle Larsson for Lawrence, and two from Crookston.
Things got pretty brutal with a slew of roughing, hooking and hit-from-behind calls, and by the end of the second Crookston had clawed back to one goal down, 4-3.
The Vikings sealed the deal in the third period with three goals. Joe Searl got his second of the evening as well as two assists to Billy Siers and Evan Thornton for a 7-3 Lawrence win.
Saturday afternoon Crookston came back strong after their loss the night before with a goal early in the first period. LU’s Billy Siers tied up the game at 1-1 at the end of the first.
Lawrence crushed any hope Crookston might have had of a win with three goals in the second period. Lighting the lamp again for the Vikings were Joe Searl and Marc Howe, who picked up two tallies.
Lawrence has an astounding 8-1 record since the New Year. With the two wins this weekend, they set a new record with a five-game winning streak.
Lawrence hosts Finlandia this weekend, who the Vikings trail by seven points.
Hockey continues torrid pace with sweep of Crookston
