Box Score One night after being held to a season low for goals and shots on goals, the Hamline men's hockey team dramatically reversed the course. Mitch McPherson had two goals and an assist as the Pipers unleashed a season high for goals and tied their season best for shots on goal in a 7-2 decision over St. Mary's Saturday night at Oscar Johnson Arena. 

Cody Bentzel, Mitch Hall, Brandon Wahlin, Jesse Kessler and Drake Hunter also tallied as the Pipers solidified their hold on fifth place -- the last playoff spot -- in the MIAC with a 5-4-1 league mark. HU, which snapped a four-game home ice losing streak, is 8-7-3 overall. 

Hamline unleashed 41 shots at three SMU goalies, blowing the game open with four second period tallies. 

Bentzel got the game off to a rolling start with his third goal of the season just 91 seconds into the game. SMU evened matters with a goal in the final minute of the period. 

McPherson wasted no time untying the game, connecting on a power play 48 seconds into the second period. The Cardinals tied matters at 2 but Hall sent Hu ahead for good with a bullet through traffic at 9:09. Two minutes later, Kessler became the third defenseman to score for HU and the tide had clearly turned. Russ Jordan then set up McPherson up in front of the goal late in the period and it was 5-2 after 40 minutes. 

In the third frame, Wahlin made it 6-2 and Hunter capped the night with his first goal at 12:32. Hall assisted on Hunter's goal and now leads the league with 17.

Justin Quale kicked out 29 shots in goal for the win. 

The Pipers play their last non-conference game of the season on Tuesday, January 24 against Wis-River Falls at Oscar Johnson. Game time is 7:00 p.m.