ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Gusties held a brief 2-1 lead, but No. 3/7 Hamline used three unanswered goals to top Gustavus, 4-2 on Friday night. The Gusties held a 37-22 shot advantage but struggled on the power play, going 0-for-6 on the night against the MIAC's best penalty kill.
The first period was scoreless, but did not hold a lack of opportunity. After an early penalty by the Gusties, Hamline took a penalty for themselves just over a minute later, clearing the way for 4-on-4 hockey and then a one minute power play for Gustavus. Senior
Lily Mortenson (Champlin, Minn.) fired a shot off, but it was the only shot of the player advantage, setting things back to even strength. Late in the period, the Gusties drew a penalty, giving themselves a man advantage heading into the second period. Gustavus held a slight advantage in shots on goal with 12 compared to the Pipers' nine and won 18 of 27 faceoffs in the first 20 minutes, but could not find the twine.
Three power play opportunities came and went for the Gusties in the second period and they could not convert, but found two even strength goals. Hamline found the back of the net first after killing off a penalty, but Gustavus tied the game up at the 12:18 mark. Junior captain
Kylie Scott (Champlin, Minn.) found the back of the net assisted by classmate and fellow captain
Avery Braunshausen (Lake Elmo, Minn.) and other classmate
Kylie Ligday (Lake Elmo, Minn.). With two minutes left in the period, senior
Grace Schuck made her impact, giving the Gusties the lead unassisted with a snipe inches from the goal line over the goalie's left shoulder. The Pipers responded with a snipe of their own, scoring with 51 seconds left in the second period to draw all square after 40 minutes. Gustavus fired 38 total shots, with 19 finding the Piper goaltender and won 15 of 17 faceoffs, finding two goals in the period.
The third period was where things flipped, with it becoming a highly defensive battle. Both teams only got six shots to the net, but Hamline was able to sneak one past sophomore goaltender
Lily Timmons (Lake Elmo, Minn.) and then add an empty netter. Both teams took penalties and the Gusties took two shots, but both were blocked, limiting the chances of taking the lead. The Pipers scored their goal just as the clock passed the halfway point in the period, finding the top right corner. Gustavus forced five more saves as they tried to tie the game up, but could not get one past and Hamline was able to score an empty net goal with 25 seconds left to take all three MIAC points. Gustavus took 37 total shots including six by Mortenson, who also won 24 of 30 faceoffs
The teams face off again tomorrow in the regular season finale in the MIAC at 2:00 p.m. at Don Roberts Ice Rink. The Gusties will be celebrating Senior Day and hope to finish off on a strong note with playoff seeding on the line and potentially playing spoiler to Hamline claiming the MIAC Regular Season Championship.
