RIVER FALLS, WIS.—The Hamline University men's hockey team's 2022-23 season opener pitted them across the Wisconsin-Minnesota border at (R.V.) UW-River Falls on Friday night. Pipers goaltender Kevin Lake weathered the storm with 19 saves over the final two periods, but it was the Falcons' three-goal first period that gave them enough cushion in a 4-0 shutout.

Hamline kicks off the season 0-1, while UW-River Falls starts their campaign 1-0.

UW-River Falls 4, Hamline 0

The Falcons' first shot of the season resulted in a goal 0:30 into the game courtesy of Gibb Coady, which made things 1-0. Hamline held a 7-6 edge in shots over the opening 11:00 of the contest, but that didn't stop UW-River Falls from taking a 2-0 lead behind Alex Davis's goal at 10:49 of the first period.

Noah Roofe would convert the Falcons' first power play opportunity of the season at the 19:45 mark of the opening frame, which pushed the score to 3-0.

Kevin Lake would save 19-of-20 shots over the final 40:00, but the Hamline offense would pepper just seven shots over that time frame. Sam Anzai closed the game's scoring for the Falcons at 00:27 of the third, which pushed his team's lead to 4-0.

UW-River Falls out shot Hamline 33-17. Lake made 29 saves in net for the Pipers, while his counterpart Dysen Skinner stopped 17 shots for the Falcons. Brandon Bissett tallied a team-best four shots for Hamline. Burke Simpson led the Falcons with a pair of assists.

The Pipers will open MIAC play against Saint Mary's (Minn.) at TRIA Rink on Friday, November 4 at 7 p.m.