Sartell Sabres get their revenge after a 4-1 triumph over the St. Cloud Crush

After a long fought physical battle between Sartell and St. Cloud, the Sabres move onto 11-2-1.

Carson Reichel, Journalist • January 11, 2024

Senior defensemen and captain, Carter Bollinger takes a shot past St. Cloud defensemen. (Photo used with permission from Andrew Ritter)

On Tuesday January 9th, the 10-2-1 Sartell Sabres took on the 5-6-1 St. Cloud Crush in a heated rivalry at Bernicks Arena in Sartell Minnesota. The last time these two teams faced off was on December 28th, and the Sabres fell to the Crush in a 5-2 loss. This game was an evident must win game for the Sabres.

The Sabres await puck drop during the pregame National Anthem. (Photo used with permission from Andrew Ritter)

Sparked by the rivalry between these teams, the first period was a physicality battle with an outstanding amount of hits and a total of 14 penalty minutes between the two teams, 8 PIM for St. Cloud and 6 PIM for Sartell. Big hits from Sartell’s #14 Caden Vos and #26 Zach Swanson, raised tensions late in the first period.

Senior Captain #21, Carter Bollinger, skates away from brawl between the two teams. (Photo used with permission from Andrew Ritter)

The action continued moving into the second period, with another 10 total PIM between the teams. With 6:23 left in the first period Junior forward Shaun Paulson scored the first goal of the game to give the sabres a 1-0 lead. A short moment later, Sartell sophmore, Brayden Klande, scored off a tipped shot from senior captain, Baylor Stebbins, on a 5 on 3 powerplay. In the final minutes of the period, St. Cloud was able to put themselves on the board to close the second period.

Junior Center #5, Owen Oxton skating in pre game warm ups. (Photo used with permission from Andrew Ritter)

Moving into the third period, the penalties didn’t take a break while there was another 10 total PIM between the teams. With go ahead goals from Senior Forward Kyan Rieder and Senior Captain Tony Collatrella, Sartell came out victorious with a 4-1 win over the St. Cloud Crush formulated from an impressive offensive and defensive performance, and an outstanding performance between the pipes from senior captain and goalie, Noah Hacker.

Hacker had an impressive night with 20 saves for a 95.5% save percentage. Sartell’s point leaders for the night were Sophmore Brayden Klande with one goal, and one assist, Freshman Collin Otto with two assists, Senior Carter Bollinger with 2 assists, and senior Tony Colatrella with one goal and one assist. The Sartell Sabres advance to a 11-2-1.

Sophmore #12, Brayden Klande, Skating to the bench. (Photo used with permission from Andrew Ritter)

I had the chance to talk to Sabres coach, Ryan Hacker, and pick his brain about the game.

Interview with coach Ryan Hacker

Q: What was one thing that you emphasized to your players pre-game?

A: Discipline. Knowing that they are very physical, and like to kind of play in our face and think they can… push us around a little bit, just maintaining our focus, and our discipline was a big part of it.

Q: Has the rivalry between the St. Cloud Crush and you guys always been this big, or has this been a recent thing?

A: The games have always been intense, cause’ these kids are growing up, playing against each other since they were little, they all know each other, so there’s always been a rivalry but I think over the last couple years it’s gotten more intense… we’re in the same section now… so the games take on a little more meaning.

Q: Did you expect the game to be as physical as it was?

A: Yes… we knew that was a big part of it… the first game when we played them at the holiday tournament, they beat us 5-2, we were kind of on our heels I think, they started way faster and more physical than we did, so we knew coming into this game that it would be similar… just maintain our discipline and do what we do and we should be fine.