Box Score Slow start. Rapid fire finish.

In a nutshell, that describes Hamline's men's hockey team on Saturday night against St. Olaf at Oscar Johnson Arena. Hamline scored the final five goals of the game -- three to break a 2-all tie after two periods for a 5-2 victory. The Pipers took five out of six points in their conference opening series and stand 2-0-2 overall, 1-0-1 in the MIAC.

HU was in trouble early. Goalie Justin Quale came up with 13 first period saves but the Pipers, who managed eight shots of their own, left the ice down, 1-0. St. Olaf struck again six minutes into the second period and it stayed at 2-0 until Mitch McPherson weaved his way through traffic at 12:09 for the first HU tally. Brandon Zurn tied the game with a goal late in the period. HU dominated the action, outshooting the Oles by 19-10.

It took Zurn just 26 seconds into the third period to untie the game for good. This was a whistler from just inside the blue line for his league leading seventh goal of the season. 12 minutes later, linemate Charlie Adams (9) was the beneficiary of a Zurn pass that he converted into a goal to make it 4-2. Russ Jordan added his first Hu netter at 13:56 to end the scoring. 

Hamline's penalty killing was sorely tested but passed with colors. HU killed seven of the eight man disadvantages assessed. 

HU will face two Wisconsin foes next week. They play at River Falls on Thursday (7:05 p.m.) and host Superior at Oscar Johnson on Saturday (7:00 p.m.)