While Tuesday night's home crowd at the Moorhead Sports Center chanted "Mr. Hockey, Mr. Hockey," Carter Randklev rewarded their faith in his abilities. Randklev's highlight-reel hat trick paced the Spuds (2-1-0) to a resounding 6-1 victory over Brainerd (0-1-0) in a Section 8AA showdown.

"We knew we had to better a job with Randklev, but that's what everyone's going to say all year," Brainerd coach Dave Aus said.

Randklev's first goal will make the rounds on the highlight shows, as he undressed a Warriors' defenseman with a yo-yo series of stickhandling moves. Sliding down the right wing, Randklev sauced a backhander to his forehand and corralled it out of the air. He shifted the puck back to his backhand, then slid it through the defensemen's legs and stepped through for a breakaway. With a quick shot past Brainerd goaltender Colin Kleffman, Randklev's "oh wow" goal gave the Spuds a 2-0 lead six minutes into the second period. (Click for a link to WDAY's Dom Izzo's Twitter video of the goal).

"I've honestly never had the nerve to pull it off in a game, but I think it was the right time," explained Randklev, who had been working on it for several years in practice. "It felt right in the moment and I was happy I pulled it off."

Randklev added a goal early in the third period, then completed the hat trick 10 minutes later with a rocket from the high slot that dinged in off the crossbar.

Cole O'Connell also scored twice, getting the Spuds on the board first at the 3:56 mark of the second period. O'Connell finished with three points on two goals and an assist, while Jack Stetz had three assists.

"Once OC got that first goal, it kind of opened things up and everyone felt a lot more comfortable," Randklev said. "After how we played last year, I think our team expects a lot from us. I think it's important for our top line to show the way as a senior class."

Through three games, Randklev leads the way with six goals on a pair of hat tricks, adding an assist for a team-best seven points. Linemates Stetz (1-5—6) and O'Connell (2-3—5) are right behind. The three teamed as juniors to anchor Moorhead's upset run to the state Class AA championship game, combining for 70 goals and 158 points. This winter, both Randklev and O'Connell have been named to several Mr. Hockey preseason watch lists, while Stetz is the power forward and grinder that glues the line together.

"As a fan of the game, the way they play the game is fun," said Ammerman. "For our kids, it's great for them to see what movement and what speed will do for the game."

Junior Nolan Westra added a goal for Moorhead, while Brainerd's Riley Andres scored with 5:39 remaining to end the Spuds' shutout bid.

Kleffman made 28 stops for the Warriors, while Lance Leonard had 21 saves to earn the victory.

But the night belonged to Randklev.

University of North Dakota men's hockey coach Brad Berry was at the game, presumably to support junior defenseman Ethan Frisch, who has verbally committed to the Fighting Hawks. But Berry also had a pat on the back for Randklev, who reopened his recruitment after stepping back from a verbal to Arizona State. 

Moorhead came into the game off a split last weekend in "The Opener" at the Bloomington Ice Garden, beating Lakeville North 4-2 and falling to St. Thomas Academy, 7-5. Moorhead coach Jon Ammerman wanted his team to tighten up its defense, but not at the expense of the creativity they've shown on offense.

"We really focused on doing a better job of taking care of our own end and taking care of the puck," Ammerman said. "That's a heck of a team we played tonight. Three or four of their forwards can really get up and go and we did a nice job of shutting them down."

Goal accomplished, as the Spuds kept Brainerd off the scoreboard until the third period, while racking up six goals.

Brainerd was playing in its season opener, with several key players still recovering from a long football season. Aus felt his team ran out of gas in the third, but was pleased with the first two periods. 

"I liked some of the things we did," said Aus. "We have a ways to go, but I think we're going to be pretty good by the end of the year. We're going to get better."