DULUTH-Riley Andres scored twice and collected an assist as the Brainerd Warriors defeated the Bemidji Lumberjacks 5-1 in the opening round of the Hilltopper Holiday Classic Thursday, Dec. 27, at Mars Lakeview Arena.
Hayden Kruse supplied a goal and assist and brother Mason contributed two assists as Brainerd moved its record over the .500 mark at 5-4. Brainerd goalie Luke Saiko recorded 18 saves as the Warriors outshot the Lumberjacks 33-19.
Riley Andres opened the scoring just 69 seconds into the game. He scored short-handed at 3:26 of the third.
Anthony Menghini and Eric Pohlkamp also found the back of the net for the Warriors who are scheduled to play Hermantown at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, in the semifinals.
Bemidji 0 1 0-1
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Brainerd 0 3 2-5
Second period: Brd-Riley Andres (Brady Anderson) 1:09; Brd-Anthony Menghini (Mason Kruse, Hayden Kruse) 11:54; Bem-Hunter Olson (Hunter Marcotte)14:03; Brd-Hayden Kruse (Mason Kruse) 15:42
Third period: Brd Riley Andres (Christian Kadolph) shg 3:26; Brd-Eric Pohlkamp (R. Andres, Nick Hastings) ppg 16:08
Shots on goal: Brd 33, Bem 19
Goalies: Brd-Luke Saiko (18 saves); Bem- (29 saves)
Overall: Brd 5-4. Next: Brainerd vs Hermantown in semifinals of Hilltopper Holiday Classic at Duluth 5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28.
