Box Score It took a while to get the offense going for the Hamline men's hockey team Saturday night against Wisconsin-Superior at TRIA Rink. Once the Pipers got in gear, there was no stopping them. HU erupted for four third period goals for a 4-2 win over the Yellowjackets and a sweep of the weekend games against WIAC foes. 

The Pipers are now 5-9-1 after a wild game that saw them successfully kill off 11 UWS power play opportunities.

The penalty boxes saw a lot of visitors. Hamline took 14 minors for 28 minutes and UWS was cited eight times for 16 minutes. The majority of the penalties in the first two periods was such a distraction that neither team was able to generate much offense. 

It was still a scoreless game in the third period when McCombs tipped a Garret Schmitz shot in the net at 50 seconds. The Yellowjackets responded 47 seconds later to tie the game. Andrew Paras then picked an excellent time for his first goal as a collegian -- a blistering shot from inside the point that caught the far corner of the net.

UWS then began to press HU goalie Evan Robert in earnest. The pressure picked up during a power play until Russ Jordan blocked a shot and the puck rolled to McCombs, who sped in alone for a shorthanded goal. McCombs' goal proved to be the game-winner after UWS scored with 2:15 to play in the game. Mitch McPherson ended the drama with an empty netter at 18:58 and HU had a second straight success story. 

Robert had 11 saves in the third period alone and 25 for the night to improve his record to 2-2.

It's a quick turnaround now to MIAC play for coach Cory Laylin and his troops. St. John's comes to TRIA on Tuesday, January 16. Game time is 7:00 p.m.