Box Score Jake O'Borsky was in the right place at the right time. As a result,the Hamline men's hockey team is in third place -- and only one win out of first place -- in the MIAC race. The sophomore winger tapped in the winning goal at 3:20 of overtime to lift the Pipers to a 3-2 win over Bethel at Oscar  Johnson Arena. It came on the Pipers' 58th shot on goal -- their highest total in several seasons -- and ended an exhausting affair. Mitch McPherson and Russ Jordan had the other goals for HU, which is now 7-4-1 in the MIAC. Their total of 22 points is just two points behind second place and third shy of league leader St. Thomas. It is also just two more than fourth place St. Mary's. 

The Royals came into OJ with just one win on the season. But they made it clear early the Pipers were going to have battle for every inch they could get. McPherson opened the scoring on a power play seven minutes into the game. BU tied the game before the end of the period, which saw each team record 15 shots on goal. 

In the middle session, HU controlled much of the play, outshooting BU, 20-4. Hamline even killed off a two-man disadvantage that stretched for 1:53. Garcia, however, wouldn't give in and the game remained tied at 1.

Jordan, the league leader in points and goals, broke the deadlock with his 15th of the season 4:54 into the third. BU came back and tied the game three minutes later. The Pipers continued to press the issue, finishing the period with a 19-5 edge in shots on goal.

Hamline goalie Justin Quale made his 22nd save of the night to start the extra session. HU continued to peck away on offense, finally scoring when Dan Bartkowiak took a shot that bounced off Garcia and through his legs to O'Borsky who poked it into the net to set off a wild celebration. 

HU, which is bidding to return to the MIAC postseason for the third straight year, is now 10-8-1 overall. They have just two series left. First up is Augsburg, who will visit Oscar Johnson on Friday, February 3 for a 7 p.m. game. The rematch is the next night in Minneapolis, also at 7 p.m.