VA Loma Linda whistleblowers mount, probe widens into harassment allegations

• June 17, 2023

Several VA Loma Linda Healthcare System whistleblowers have come forward with new allegations of retaliation, harassment and hostile working conditions amid a widening investigation by the House Veterans Affairs Committee, according to a lawmaker.

On Friday, committee member U.S. Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Hesperia, met behind closed doors with VA Loma Linda’s interim director Bryan Arnette, and other officials to discuss the whistleblower complaints and map out needed changes.

“Sometimes in federal government … we can create a workplace environment that is tolerant of people that don’t follow the rules,” Obernolte said during a press briefing following the meetings without offering specific details about what was discussed. “We want to make sure that doesn’t occur.”

Separately, staff members from the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met with whistleblowers at an undisclosed location to review their complaints that suggest systematic failures by the federal government to address problems at VA Loma Linda.

Obernolte declined to disclose the specific nature of the confidential whistleblower allegations.

Additionally, the second-term House member said he is unsure if the allegations are related to VA Loma Linda Director Karandeep Sraon’s transfer in March to the VA’s Desert Pacific Healthcare Network in Long Beach.

VA Loma Linda said in a statement Friday that team members “were incredibly proud” to show Obernolte how it takes care of veterans and employees.

The facility is “actively taking steps to invest in VA employees” and welcomes the opportunity to discuss workplace concerns.

“Our aim is always to ensure a safe, harassment-free environment in a culture where all employees and guests are treated with dignity and respect,” the statement said.

Visit follows federal investigation

Obernolte’s visit follows a Southern California News Group report in May that revealed a 2021 federal investigation found that a VA Loma Linda manager frequently used racial slurs, required workers to buy him food and drive him to and from work, and then punished those who refused his demands with bad assignments.

However, instead of being terminated for creating a hostile work environment, the manager — identified by multiple sources as grounds department supervisor Martin Robles — was inexplicably promoted.

“There were numerous instances where inappropriate language and racial slurs were used which appears to be a common practice,” a Veterans Administration investigative board said in a heavily redacted 61-page report obtained by the Southern California News Group. “Inappropriate and discriminatory hiring practices were found, which have contributed to the lack of trust, poor morale, and fractured culture.”

The Administrative Investigation Board recommended Robles be removed from employment because of “overwhelming evidence to support that the supervisor was intimidating, exhibited bullying behavior, threatening behavior, and contributed to a hostile work environment,” said a source familiar with the probe.

The AIB investigation, which began on Dec. 9, 2020, and concluded the week of Jan. 11, 2021, included 57 hours of testimony from 36 witnesses and 4,000 pages of exhibits.

Robles also was the focus of two other VA Loma Linda investigations in 2020 and 2022 that substantiated allegations he fostered a hostile work environment. Details of those two investigations were not immediately available.

About a month after the 2021 probe wrapped up, Robles was given increased management responsibilities at VA Loma Linda. His salary in 2022 was $75,000.

Past troubles

The controversy involving Robles is the latest in a string of troubling incidents involving VA Loma Linda employees.

The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, which includes the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center and several clinics, made headlines in 2019 when it was discovered that a manager had been convicted of murder.

Then, in 2021, a federal judge reprimanded Chief of Staff Dr. Franklin Sechriest for failing to obtain treatment for his mentally ill son, allowing him to amass a small arsenal before torching a Texas synagogue.

The AIB also determined VA Loma Linda’s maintenance and operations chief, David J. Grzechowiak, ignored evidence of Robles’ misconduct and failed to hold him accountable.

“The board found there has been a long-standing mismanagement and acceptance of behaviors which have continued to perpetuate over time and which have built a culture within that could be described as dysfunctional, toxic, and demoralizing,” the AIB report says.

Appropriate administrative actions have been taken as a result of the AIB investigation, VA Loma Linda’s associate director of resources, Maria T. Nguyen, said in a June 14, 2021, memo to Facilities Management Services employees.

The Southern California News Group obtained more than a dozen emails and complaints filed with the VA over five years, all detailing Robles’ troubling interactions with employees.

Ryan Joseph Sperry, a former Marine and VA Loma Linda irrigation technician from Moreno Valley who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependency, documented many of Robles’ indiscretions.

Sperry was 43 when he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Aug. 9, 2022.

Committee investigating suicide

The House Veterans Affairs Committee is investigating whether Sperry’s’ suicide is employment-related and has demanded that the VA explain why Robles has been allowed to keep his job.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis Richard McDonough sent Obernolte a letter Friday offering an explanation.

“In the case of the Loma Linda supervisor, the AIB report recommended the employee’s removal,” McDonough said in the letter. “After careful consideration of all the available information as well as consultation with the Office of General Counsel, however, management decided that a different penalty was more appropriate. The employee received an administrative action.”

Robles continues to be monitored by VA Loma Linda management, who purportedly have not received any new allegations of retaliation or hostile work environment.

Under the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act signed into law in 2017, the VA was given expanded authority to fire employees at all levels, shorten the removal process, and ensure terminated workers are not kept on the agency’s payroll while appealing that decision

It also made it easier for the VA to remove poor-performing senior executives and replace them with qualified candidates. The law also established the VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection.

However, as of April 3, the VA has stopped using the Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, following an Office of Inspector General report that says the law has “floundered.”

Meanwhile, Obernolte said that while McDonough’s letter answered some questions, the VA secretary did not respond as to whether he would want to be personally supervised by a manager who has behaved so poorly.

“That illustrates the heart of the argument that we are making,” he said. “We do not want to create a work environment that drives away the quality people that we need to care for our veterans.”

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U.S. Open notes: Sam Bennett showing off his major form again

• June 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Another major, another weekend in contention for defending United States amateur champion SamBennett. The former Texas A&M standout posted his second straight round in the 60s on Friday (67-68), leaving him at 5 under and in prime contention to challenge for the U.S. Open title this weekend at Los Angeles Country Club.

Bennett’s strong play over the first 36 holes at LACC is very similar to what he did in April with his spectacular play in the Masters. After 36 holes at Augusta, Bennett was third, becoming the first amateur to shoot two rounds in the 60s since 1961. While he struggled a bit over the final 36 holes.

Bennett finished in a tie for 16th, the best amateur finish at the Masters since Ryan Moore in 2005. Bennett, who turned professional in May and will compete full-time on the Korn Ferry Tour next season, said through the first two rounds played solid from tee to green.

“Drove the ball in play and then hit a lot of quality iron shots and got a lot of looks,” Bennett said. “Made some good saves from par. I’m leaving a few out there on the greens, but yeah, I’m just ball-striking this course to death.”

Asked about how he’s been able to step up his game to compete with the world’s best golfers. Bennett was philosophical.

“It’s just golf. Yeah, there’s people out here and the courses are tough, but you do the same thing to try to always try to focus on,” Bennett said. “Just tee it in play, which I tend to drive it well. I mean, it’s tough. It’s getting tough out there. The greens are getting a little more bouncy and a little faster, but I just love the challenge.”

ACES WILD

For the second straight day, the short par-3 15th hole was the site of a hole-in-one, this one by defending U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick used a sand wedge to score the ace, which is his first hole-in-one as a professional and he is the first defending champion to return and make a hole-in-one as well.

“As soon as I hit it, I felt like it was a good number and a good distance, so I knew it was going to be in and around the hole,” Fitzpatrick said. “I didn’t expect it to go in, but, yeah, it was a pleasant surprise. My hand was a bit sore afterward, I’ll be honest, after all the high-fiving. But it was good.”

KOEPKA NOT LOVING LACC LAYOUT

Brooks Koepka has well-deserved recognition for thriving under extremely difficult conditions, conditions usually found in a U.S. Open. So, it’s no surprise that the two-time U.S. Open winner isn’t exactly thrilled with the low scores that have been shot at LACC through two rounds.

Asked what he thought the winning score at a U.S. Open should be, Koepka responded with “It should be around par.”

“I’m not a huge fan of this place. I’m not a huge fan of blind tee shots, and then I think there’s just some spots that no matter what you hit, the ball just ends up in the same spot,” Koepka said. “I think it would be more fun to play on just like a regular round than it would be a U.S. Open. I mean, there’s, what, two 8s (8-under par) yesterday. That doesn’t happen.”

Sitting at even par, Koepka was asked what it would take for him to get into contention over the next two days.

“I obviously have got to play two good rounds, so that’s something I have to do. But definitely would like to be further up from where I’m at. But it all depends on what happens today, whether the wind picks up, so who knows what those guys are going to get to.”

DJ’s QUAD

Dustin Johnson’s even-par 70 might not seem like a great score until you realize he accomplished that after making a quadruple bogey on the par-4 second hole. Johnson knocked his tee shot into a fairway bunker, blasted out into the rough and then hit his next shot into a hazard, leading to the eight.

“Chunked my bunker shot and then chunked the next one. Skulled the next one,” he said. “Everything that you could do wrong, I did wrong.”

He was asked if it is hard not to let a round unravel after having such a horrible time on a hole.

“Sometimes it is but today it wasn’t, though,” Johnson said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in the game and what I’m doing right now. It was nice obviously to come back and birdie the next hole. That definitely helped a little bit.”

Johnson, who tied for 48th at the Masters and 55th at the PGA Championship, is at 6 under for the tournament.

“I really feel like I’m swinging it really well, driving it good,” he said, “so looking forward to this weekend.”

BIRDIES AND BOGEYS

Rickie Fowler’s 10 birdies in the first round were the most birdies ever made in a single round in U.S. Open history. … Former UCLA standout and 1995 U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin took in the action at LACC over the last few days. Pavin said being around a U.S. Open brought back memories of his win in 1995 but he added he was happy not to be playing this week. … Masters champion Fred Couples showed up on Friday to catch some of the second-round action. Couples was seated right behind the first tee box for much of the day.

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Santa Anita horse racing consensus picks, Saturday, June 17, 2023

• June 17, 2023

The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Art Wilson, Terry Turrell and Eddie Wilson. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

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Upland tops Tesoro with strong, tough effort in Division 2 boys volleyball final

• May 14, 2023

NORWALK — Upland boys volleyball coach Scott Robertson wasn’t sure how his team would respond to being in the CIF-SS Division 2 final Saturday at Cerritos College.

A year ago, the team had not responded well to the bright lights and big game environment of the finals.

But Saturday, the Highlanders shook off an opening-set loss and defeated Tesoro in four sets, 19-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-23, to win the school’s first section title in boys volleyball.

Upland (28-4) took down the defending Division 2 champions while learning a few things from last year’s loss to Royal in the Division 3 final.

“We shook off the scary part of being in the Southern Section finals,” Robertson said. “Like last year, we weren’t ready to play. This year we didn’t look ready in the first set, but I could tell we were just tight and once we loosened up I knew we were gonna be OK.”

AJ Contreras had a team-high 19 kills and Isaiah Vogel added 17 kills for Upland.

“Our pins have carried us all season and our setter (Aiden DuFour) put them in the right spots to be successful,” Robertson said.

DuFour finished with 37 assists for Upland.

Before the start of the second set Contreras pleaded with the Highlanders supporters to make some noise. The crowd responded.

“The crowd factor played a big role in the game,” Contreras said.

“We really had to prove ourselves, we lost some big pieces (from last year) and heard from teams that we aren’t the same, but this game helped us prove that we are, and that we’re better.”

Tesoro outside hitter Kaumana Carreira had 15 kills and opposite Nathan Draper finished with 10.

The No. 3 seed Titans (21-6) were unable to generate consistent attacks in the second and third sets, while Upland applied pressure at the net and also got powerful serves from Kai Vogel, who collected a pair of aces.

Tesoro battled in the fourth set and nearly forced a fifth with the score tied 23-23, but Isaiah Vogel was able to get the final two points and clinch the championship celebration.

“We just happened to get in the right rotations, and get key serves at the right time,” Robertson said. “Our boys just figured out a way to gut it out.”

“Taking out Tesoro, a top-ranked team, Redondo, Los Alamitos, I mean, we went through the gauntlet to get here,” he added, “so I’m proud of their desire, their hustle and their heart.”

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J.D. Martinez homers early as Dodgers outlast Padres

• May 14, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― The Dodgers and San Diego Padres will meet Sunday for the sixth time in the last nine days. Each game has been decided by three runs or less, including the Dodgers’ 4-2 win Saturday before an announced crowd of 51,334 at Dodger Stadium.

J.D. Martinez had the big hit early against Joe Musgrove (1-1), a three-run home run in the first inning. More than stockpiling wins against an emerging rival, Martinez believes the Dodgers’ fourth win in five tries against the Padres bodes well for the future.

“As far as our preparation, the way we get ready, it’s another team,” Martinez said. “Obviously the fans get into it. There’s more energy out there. You can feel it. Especially when we were in San Diego, I feel like it was really rowdy for a bit. It’s cool though. I love it.

“I’m a firm believer, seeing it in ‘18 when we (the Boston Red Sox) played the Yankees, it was insane ― a World Series-type atmosphere every game. These kind of environments where it’s rowdy, it’s loud, a lot of pressure, prepares you for the playoffs, you know?”

The playoffs felt like a distant concern before the Dodgers won 12 of their last 14 games, pulling 10 games over .500 (25-15) and claiming a firm grasp on the National League West. They now lead the third-place Padres (19-21) by six games in the division.

The Dodgers’ recent run has coincided with the team getting healthy in the case of Martinez, who returned Friday after spending 15 games on the injured list recovering from a back injury, and catcher Will Smith, who missed 13 games following a concussion. Another five players ― Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, and Caleb Ferguson ― entered and exited the paternity list.

Now that the roster is healthy and properly paternalized, the Dodgers’ depth is flexing its muscles. A sweep would give the Dodgers three sweeps in their last three series at home, for a total of nine consecutive wins at Dodger Stadium.

“We’ve done the work to put ourselves in this spot right now,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We’ve got a chance to go for the jugular.”

Julio Urías (5-3) pitched seven strong innings in his second consecutive start against the Padres. The left-hander allowed solo home runs to Juan Soto and Ha-Seong Kim in the first two innings, when Dodger Stadium was mostly bathed in sunlight for the afternoon contest. He allowed only one hit the rest of the way, striking out four batters and walking none.

Urías also helped himself in the sixth inning with his glove.

With one out, Manny Machado reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Max Muncy. Juan Soto hit a slow tapper between the pitcher’s mound and first base, perfectly placed to give the Padres their first hit since the home run by Kim.

The next batter, Xander Bogaerts, hit a hard ground ball back to the mound that Urías did well simply to field cleanly. He then spun to second base and threw quickly enough to start a 1-4-3 double play ― ending the inning and preserving the Dodgers’ 4-2 lead.

“I needed it,” Urías said in Spanish.

Urías finished the seventh inning by striking out Kim on his 86th and final pitch. Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Brusdar Graterol got two quick outs in the ninth, then allowed consecutive singles to Xander Bogaerts and Nelson Cruz to extend the inning.

With left-handed hitter Jake Cronenworth representing the winning run, Roberts summoned southpaw Caleb Ferguson from the bullpen to record the final out. Ferguson struck out Cronenworth, earning his first save since the 2018 season.

Freeman had two of the Dodgers’ eight hits. Martinez followed first-inning singles by Freeman and Muncy with a 407-foot blast to left field, his fifth home run of the season.

The veteran DH said he’s feeling more comfortable now after straining to make a strong impression early in his new surroundings. Having a deep and healthy lineup around him ― at last ― has made that easier.

“At the beginning I felt like I was pressing a little bit, trying to do too much,” Martinez said. “We’ve got a good enough team, I don’t have to do anything, really. Just do what I know how to do. If it’s me that night, it’s me. If it’s the other eight hitters it’s the other eight hitters. Our lineup’s really potent.”

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Dodgers seem to have their closer situation sorted out

• May 14, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― All the Dodgers’ bullpen needed was time ― and three trips to the delivery room.

Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson teamed up to close out the final two innings of the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Each became a father in the last month, then returned from the birth of their child to assume a high-leverage relief role in a much-improved Dodger bullpen.

Now, manager Dave Roberts said, “We feel that any one of those guys can finish a game, can close a game.”

Saturday it was Ferguson’s turn, but only after Graterol started the ninth inning and allowed a pair of two-out singles. The first, an infield single by Xander Bogaerts, was initially called the third out of the inning after third baseman Max Muncy made a bare-handed pickup and throw across the infield. But the call was overturned after the Padres challenged the “out” call at first base, and both teams stayed on the field.

The next batter, Nelson Cruz, hit a clean single to the outfield to bring up Jake Cronenworth, a left-handed hitter. Rather than let the right-handed Graterol continue, Roberts was ready to bring in Ferguson to optimize the left-on-left matchup.

Ferguson struck out Cronenworth to end the game, his first save of the season ― and his first in any season since 2018.

Phillips recorded a five-out save ― he induced a double-play groundout to end the eighth inning, then threw 10 more pitches in a 1-2-3 ninth ― to close out Friday’s win. It was Phillips’ team-leading seventh save of the season, but Roberts demonstrated Saturday that the Dodgers do not have a designated closer.

For now, that’s OK. The Dodgers are a top-10 team in ERA in the eighth and ninth innings this season, and they seem to have their bullpen pecking order sorted out.

“To be able to perform at any point, where we feel helps our ball club, is huge back there,” Roberts said. “That’s a credit to all of those guys.”

SYNDERGAARD UPDATE

Noah Syndergaard threw a bullpen session Saturday afternoon to test the cut on his right index finger. He threw approximately 50 pitches without any apparent concern for the injury, a good omen for the veteran right-hander.

If Syndergaard is cleared by the Dodgers’ training staff, he will start against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, six days after the cut broke open in Milwaukee and Syndergaard could not contain the bleeding. He exited that game after one inning.

Manager Dave Roberts explained that Syndergaard did not use a Dermabond adhesive to close the cut on his finger prior to the game in Milwaukee because “we thought we were out of the woods.” Syndergaard did use the Dermabond adhesive during his bullpen session and will do so if he starts Monday.

The Dodgers were granted permission by Major League Baseball to apply Dermabond, which is technically a “foreign substance,” to Syndergaard’s pitching hand.

If Syndergaard is unable to pitch Monday, the Dodgers are expected to recall Gavin Stone from Triple-A. Stone is scheduled to pitch Sunday for Oklahoma City.

MUNCY ‘SCUFFLING’

Muncy is still under the weather, Roberts said, despite having played in 13 of the Dodgers’ last 14 games. He has just 2 hits in his last 26 at-bats, dropping his batting average to .203.

“He’s been scuffling,” Roberts said. “Physically, he’s better. There’s this chest cough he can’t get past but he’s doing all right. He’s hanging in there.”

Muncy has seen his OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage fall from 1.152, among the highest in baseball, to .871 since April 28.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin 0-1, 1.93) vs. San Diego (LHP Ryan Weathers, 1-1, 2.50), 1:10 p.m., Sunday, SportsNet LA, 570 AM

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Angels give up late lead, lose to Guardians

• May 14, 2023

CLEVELAND — All Angels Manager Phil Nevin could do was watch from the dugout and hope one of his pitchers could take him to the bottom of the ninth.

The Angels had a comfy four-run lead in the eighth inning of Saturday’s game against the Guardians, and Nevin opted to keep reliever Andrew Wantz on the mound after he recorded all three outs in the seventh inning. Nevin wanted another inning from Wantz, who hadn’t pitched in four days and was one of the most refreshed relievers in the Angels’ bullpen.

That decision, however, proved costly for the Angels.

Wantz surrendered four-straight singles before reliever Ryan Tepera allowed two home runs in a disastrous eighth inning of their 8-6 loss at Progressive Field. Nevin hoped to bring closer Carlos Estévez in for the ninth inning for a save opportunity, but he never had a chance to call him due to the wreckage from the bullpen.

“(Wantz) probably just got a little tired,” Nevin said. “With four straight hits, you’ve got to stop the bleeding and find some more outs. Tep’s been in those situations before, but it just didn’t work out this time.”

Tepera allowed a three-run home run from Josh Naylor to give the Guardians the lead and Andrés Giménez added a solo home run two at-bats later for insurance.

The Angels’ ugly eighth inning wiped out the positives they had built in the previous innings, such as the splendid season debut from left fielder Mickey Moniak on his 25th birthday, a quality game from the defense and a smooth outing from starter Reid Detmers.

Moniak, in particular, was a standout player despite the loss. Called up Friday from Triple-A Salt Lake, he led off the game with a home run and was the Angels’ top generator on offense, going 3 for 4 with three runs, two stolen bases and a walk. He also scored runs in the third and seventh innings.

“It felt good,” Moniak said. “Main focus ever since coming into spring training was to try to help the team win, and it felt like I did that today. That’s just baseball, and it didn’t fall in our favor, but it felt good to be back here and get my feet wet.”

Neto contributed two big plays with his glove, which he applied on Guardians second baseman José Ramírez for a quick tag on a big pickoff attempt that went for an out in the fourth inning.

He also made a sliding, juggling catch in shallow left field on shortstop Andrés Giménez in the seventh inning. He then immediately rose to his feet and fired the ball back to first base to double up right fielder Gabrial Arias, who ran too far to second base and wasn’t anticipating Neto to secure the catch.

Another big defensive moment was when Hunter Renfroe threw out Amed Rosario with a laser from right field in the first inning. Renfroe caught a flyout and unleashed the ball to Anthony Rendon at third base to cut down Rosario on his attempt to tag up from second.

The double-play ended an inning where the Guardians had runners on second and third with one out.

“That was probably our cleanest defensive game of the year,” Nevin said. “We played a really good defensive game.”

Detmers helped the Angels sail through the first five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

All of that work, though, was wasted when Nevin’s hopes to reach the bottom of the ninth came undone.

“Got to find guys to get the outs to get to Estey, really,” Nevin said.

The Angels also replaced third baseman Anthony Rendon in the sixth inning after he left with left groin tightness. Nevin said Rendon told him “I don’t think I could move to get a ball right now” when Nevin was on the mound to replace Detmers in the sixth inning.

Rendon, whom Nevin said was already scheduled for an off-day in the third game of the series, will be re-evaluated Sunday.

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Crean Lutheran boys lacrosse loses to Santa Monica in OT in Division 3 final

• May 14, 2023

DOWNEY — The Crean Lutheran boys lacrosse team took a 13-game winning streak into the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship game Saturday at Downey High.

The Saints had rolled through the playoffs, winning by scores of 15-3, 16-3, 14-6 and 18-7 to reach the finals.

But things were different Saturday, as they battled No. 1 seed Santa Monica in a tight contest from start to finish and eventually lost 9-8 in overtime.

Three minutes into the overtime period, senior attack Joaquin Nava had the ball behind the net and passed to a cutting Ozgood Hawkins, who scored the winning goal for Santa Monica (17-6).

Jordan Warners and AJ Bevacqua each scored twice for Crean Lutheran.

Saints sophomore Brody Wallace had two assists with a goal. One of his assists was to Bevacqua who scored as time expired in the first half to give the Saints a 4-3 lead.

“I love coaching these kids, it’s a tremendous group,” Crean Lutheran coach Will McMinn said. “They gave it everything they had and the chips didn’t fall.”

Hawkins, a sophomore, had seven points Saturday (four goals, three assists) to give him a team-high 117 points this season.

The story of the game was the excellent play of the two goalies: Luke Beteag of Crean Lutheran (21-3) and Jasper Ford of Santa Monica.

“He’s a great presence in the net and when the defense has a miscue, he’s there to stop it,” Santa Monica coach James Phelan said. “Their goalie (Beteag) was stopping us countless times and made some point blank saves. He played his butt off today.”

Beteag had 14 saves for the Saints and Ford had 16 for Santa Monica.

Nava had two goals for the Vikings and so did Noah Zucker.

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