Swanson's hat trick helps Tech take conference lead

ST. CLOUD -- John Swanson had a hat trick as St. Cloud Tech defeated the Brainerd Warriors 5-1 in a battle of Central Lakes Conference boys' hockey leaders Thursday.

Swanson helped Tech seize sole possession of first place in the conference with a 6-0-1 mark. The loss was Brainerd's first in conference play (6-1-0).

"We played early, at 5:30 p.m., so the atmosphere wasn't great," Warriors coach Ty Eigner said. "Neither team was real revved up to go.

"We outshot them 13-8 in the first, had three power plays and were playing pretty well. But we needed to pick it up from there. In the second we took three penalties to their one. They got some chances and carried the momentum into the third."

Joe Holden scored Brainerd's only goal, at 8:34 of the first on a power play.

Brainerd 1 0 0 -- 1

St. Cloud Tech 1 3 1 -- 5

First period -- B-Joe Holden (Ryan Peltoma, Mike Baker) ppg 8:34; SCT-Andrew Glasheen (David Hines, Matt McDowall) 12:55

Second period -- SCT-John Swanson (Nate Roberts, Aaron Poole) 1:12; SCT-Brian Lahr (Nate Meinz, Cole Bemboom) 11:21; SCT-John Swanson, 12:52

Third period -- SCT-John Swanson (McDowall) eng 15:42

Shots on goal -- SCT 8-15-6--29, B 13-8-11--32

Goalies -- SCT-Ethan Lyerly (31 saves), B-Tyler Ostman (24 saves)

Power-play opportunities -- B 1-7, SCT 0-5

Conference -- B 6-1-0, SCT 6-0-1. Overall -- B 8-4-1, SCT 11-2-1. Next game -- Duluth East at Brainerd 3 p.m. Saturday.