Ryan Bittner lifted the Crookston Pirates to an 8-0 victory with a hat trick against the Eveleth-Gilbert Golden Bears.

Bittner got on the scoresheet 3:35 into the second period. He then added goals at 6:45 into the second and at 8:30 into the third.

Eveleth-Gilbert fell victim to a deadly Crookston power play, which ripped the Golden Bears for four goals.

The Pirates stifled Eveleth-Gilbert's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Crookston was steadier on the defensive front than it has been for much of this season. The Pirates gives up 2.8 goals on average per game. Crookston got an offensive boost from its blueliners, who contributed three goals during the game.

Crookston additionally got points from Curtis Regan, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Brady Heppner, who also grabbed one goal and three assists. Crookston also got a goal from Chandler St. Michel as well. In addition, Crookston received assists from Kyle Proulx, Dylan Klatt, and Kal Salentiny, who each chipped in one and Connor Morgan and Justin Cameron, who contributed two a piece.

The Golden Bears were held below their usual level of production. Eveleth-Gilbert puts an average of 4.2 pucks into the net per game.

The Pirates ended with 22 minutes in penalty time with one minor and two majors. The Golden Bears totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with one minor and one major and went 0-for-3 on the power play.