The MIAC men’s hockey landscape is still very much jumbled. Entering the season, many believed Hamline to be a real player at the top of the conference along with St. Thomas and St. Mary’s. That meant that this past weekend’s rivalry series between Hamline and St. Thomas would mean even more.

“Every MIAC game is important, but the St. Thomas series is circled on all of our calendars,” said sophomore defenseman Mitch Hall.

It would, in fact, be a big series, but not in the way the Pipers would have hoped.

On Friday night, the action started in favor of the visiting team at St. Thomas Ice Arena. Hall put the puck in the net first at 9:12 in the second period. The lead wouldn’t last long, however, with the Tommies scoring three times before the end of the period.

The Pipers got back within one at just 2:38 into the final period with a goal from sophomore defenseman Jesse Kessler. It wouldn’t be enough, though, with St. Thomas icing the game at 12:47 to down Hamline.

Kessler’s goal and assist would lead Hamline in points, while first-year goaltender Justin Quale racked up 35 saves.

The Pipers got off to another good start on Saturday at Oscar Johnson Arena. The Burgundy and Gray opened the scoring early with a goal from first-year forward Mitch McPherson at just 3:48 of the game. The lead would extend to 2-0 at 2:38 of the second period, thanks to senior forward Brandon Zurn and some great passing from linemates McPherson and senior forward Charlie Adams.

St. Thomas would not let it stay that way. The Purple would tie the game 2-2 before the third period.

Zurn gave the Pipers the lead once more at 4:05 into the final period, but it wouldn’t last. The Tommies went on to score three more times, including an empty-netter with 22 seconds remaining to give Hamline a 3-5 loss.

Zurn’s two goals led the Pipers offensively, while junior goaltender John Sellie-Hanson had 25 saves.

The weekend leaves St. Thomas in first place in the MIAC with 15 points and a 5-1 record. Meanwhile, the defending MIAC Playoff champion Pipers sit in seventh with only five points and a 1-4-1 record.

While those results don’t exactly look great, there are positives to take away from the first part of the season. Adams and Zurn continue to lead the nation in points with 22 apiece. Hall joins them on the list for assists, with his 10 putting him in a tie for 10th in the nation. Quale has also been solid in net with a .920 save percentage in MIAC play.

Despite the rough start, one thing should be kept straight: Nothing is settled. There are still 10 MIAC games left. That’s a lot of time to turn things around.

It seems the team already knows how to improve the rest of the season.

“Our team’s mindset is to take it one shift at a time and simplify our game,” Hall said, “The team is focused on putting together a full 60 minutes. We’ve been playing really well for two periods but need to put together a full game in order to be successful,”

Hamline Men’s hockey plays their next three games in Wisconsin. First at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday, Dec. 12., then battling UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout on Jan. 7 and 8, respectively. MIAC play resumes at Oscar Johnson Arena on Jan. 15 against Concordia.