Box Score

The Hamline men's hockey team nearly recovered all the way from a slow start. Down 3-0 in the second period, the Pipers rallied on goals by Brandon Zurn and Kevin Novakovich but eventually dropped their season opening game -- a 4-2 decision to St. John's at the MIAC Hockey Showcase in Blaine.

Nick Heimer stopped 19 shots in goal for HU.

The Johnnies, last year's MIAC playoff champion, scored in the first period and then added goals 95 seconds apart midway in the second for a 3-0 lead. The Pipers began to claw back as Joe Rubbelke (pictured) set up Zurn for a power play goal at 13:00 to make it 3-1.

Novakovich finished off a three way play (with Rubbelke and Zurn) at 5:38 of the third to cut the lead to 3-2. But that was as close as HU could get.

The Pipers have a day off before returning to Fogerty Arena to face Concordia on Sunday, Nov. 3. Game time is 1:00 p.m.