Trey Gardner netted a hat trick to lead the North Iowa Bulls over the Minnesota Flying Aces, 14-2.

Gardner got on the scoresheet 18:30 into the first period. He then added goals at 13:41 into the second and at 16:31 into the third.

North Iowa led by only one goal at the end of the first period, but put the game away by scoring four goals in the second.

Minnesota's nine penalties came back to haunt it, as the Flying Aces let up four goals while on the penalty kill.

The Bulls were often in penalty trouble, totaling nine minors and two majors for 48 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 19.0 minutes per game North Iowa had been spending in the box. The Bulls forced Flying Aces' goalies to work without much rest, taking 63 shots and forcing 49 saves. Kevin OShea made 29 stops and Dakota McDonald made 20. North Iowa excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. The Bulls surpassed their usual scoring output this season. North Iowa averages 5.3 goals per game. The defensemen of the Bulls were also effective in Minnesota's zone, and came away with two goals.

North Iowa additionally got points from Evan Mills, who also registered one goal and three assists, Johnny Panvica, who also had one goal and four assists, Jon Severson, who also racked up two goals and three assists, and Brett Gravelle, who also tallied two goals and three assists. North Iowa also had goals scored by Ryan Durant, who had two and Carmen Dalesandro, Connor Bump, and Ian Penvose, who scored one goal each. In addition, North Iowa received assists from Joe Kleven, who had three and Kurt Halbach, Jake Mullendore, Sam Naegele, and Dylan Zins, who each chipped in two.

The Flying Aces' penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled six minors and three majors for 77 minutes in penalty time. Minnesota surpassed its season average of 26.0 penalty minutes per game.

The Flying Aces were led by Isak Larson, who registered one goal. Larson scored 7:44 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Tyler Arenz provided the assist. Zachary Johnston also scored for Minnesota. Other players who recorded assists for Minnesota were Matt Olson, who had one.

David Johnson made 23 saves for North Iowa on 25 shots. Team's Lucas Mickelson and Johnston were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.