ST. PAUL, Minn. - In their first game in three weeks, the Hamline men's hockey team (1-3, 1-1 MIAC) came out ready to play, taking down Gustavus (0-5, 0-3 MIAC) 3-2 at TRIA Rink on Saturday night.
 
After leading 2-1 heading into the third period, the Gusties tied it up with six minutes left in the game, but the Pipers answered as first year Joe Collins scored with less than two minutes to play to lift Hamline to victory.
 
Senior Evan Robert had an impressive game in net for the Pipers, making a season-high 34 saves, which included double digit saves in both the second and third periods.
 
The Gusties wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring 52 seconds into the game. With that early goal, Gustavus had a lot of the early momentum, but senior Zak Lambrecht changed that, tying it up with a goal of his own at 3:11. He was assisted by junior Brendan Sheehan on the play. This was Lambrecht's first goal of the season.
 
In the second, it was junior Tyler Nyman who would score his first goal of the season less than two minutes into the frame, putting Hamline up 2-1. He was assisted by first year Ike Taraszewski. Robert would knock away all 15 shots that came at him in the period, allowing HU to take this lead into the second break.
 
With less than seven minutes to go in the game, the Gusties would tie it up. The Pipers were awarded a power play a few minutes later, but they couldn't capitalize, making it look like the game was going to go into overtime. But, Collins had a different idea, taking a pass from Sam Dabrowski and beating the goalie to put the Pipers ahead 3-2 with only 1:46 left to play.
 
Gustavus pulled their goalie shortly after, but Robert made three saves in the final minute and a half to preserve the lead.
 
The Pipers are back in action on Saturday, March 6 as they will host Saint John's at TRIA Rink for a 7:00 p.m. game.