St. Cloud, Minn. – A five-goal second period led the Norsemen to a 5-4 victory over the Central Division leading Austin Bruins on Saturday night in North American Hockey League action.
Norsemen forward Blake Mesenburg (Orono, MN) netted his first career hat trick, scoring a pair of power play goals and adding an even strength tally. Forward Ryan O’Neill assisted on three goals, surpassing 100 career points in the process. Blake Perbix (Princeton, MN/Cathedral // Northern Michigan) racked up three assists as well.
Defenseman Evan Murr opened scoring in the second period to give St. Cloud a 1-0 lead. Murr’s goal was assisted by Hunter Hanson (Blaine, MN) and Mesenburg.
Mesenburg put up back to back power play goals, assisted by O’Neill and Perbix.
Austin scored its first of the game to make it 3-1 before the Norsemen onslaught continued.
Mesenburg completed this hat trick during a 4-on-4, assisted by O’Neill and defenseman Chris Lynch (Karlstad, SWE), to make it 4-1 St. Cloud.
The Norsemen got one more goal before the period came to a close, when Nik Hong put home the setup by Perbix and Broten Sabo (Rosemount, MN).
The four goal lead would prove to be important, as the Bruins rallied for three goals in the third to make it a 5-4 game, but the Norsemen held on for the win. Tomas Bolo (Zilina, Slovakia) made 14 saves to earn his tenth win of the season. St. Cloud held Austin to just 18 shots in the game.
The Norsemen (16-13-0-1) are on the road this weekend, Jan. 21-22 at Minot. St. Cloud plays on the road on Thursday, Jan. 27 at North Iowa, before returning home to the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex to host Minot. Tickets are available at tickets.stcloudnorsemen.com and for group or team discounts and outings, please contact Ashley Chase at chase@stcloudnorsemen.com
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