After a break from competition due to COVID-19 testing protocols, a young portion of the Hamline men’s hockey team returned to the ice to defeat Gustavus Adolphus College in a close match. The final score was 3–2 in the Piper’s favor, with the winning goal being scored in the last two minutes of play by first year Joe Collins.

Though Gustavus put the first goal on the board almost immediately after the game began, the Pipers answered within three minutes to take back the momentum. Senior Zak Lambrecht scored his first goal of the season and tied the score up with ones. 

Hamline outshot the Gusties in the first period and won the second period by earning another goal from junior Tyler Nyman assisted by first year Ike Taraszewski. This was also Nyman’s first goal of the season.

After a defensive zone faceoff, Gustavus tied the score at 2–2 in the third period. There were doubts about the game ending without overtime for either team, especially after a fruitless power play by the Pipers. However, Martin beat the goalie and put Hamline over the edge for the win.

Head Coach Cory Laylin identified one of the strongest players of the game as sophomore defenseman Eric Dahl. At the end of the last period, the Gusties put up an intense fight to undo the damage Martin had done but the whole team took hits and blocked shots to help secure their win. Dahl had a season high of three shots blocked on his own.

None of this could have been possible without the powerful performance of senior goalie Evan Robert, who had a season high of 34 saves and ensured even when the Gusties pulled their goalie that all the shots were knocked away.

The men’s hockey team was only able to dress 15 skaters and two goalies this game and six of those players were first years. Despite the small lineup, the Pipers persevered and didn’t let fatigue overcome them.

“I was impressed with their compete, passion and desire,” Laylin said. “[It was a] fun team win.”

Looking forward, the men’s hockey team is looking to have a full lineup and continue to stay within their system. 

For more updated stats and a full game schedule, visit hamlineathletics.com.