SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University men's hockey team dug themselves out of a 2-0 deficit with three unanswered goals, which culminated in Erik Dahl's game-winning tally at 3:36 of overtime that propelled his team to a 3-2 (OT) victory over UW-Eau Claire at Tria Rink on Friday night. The goal was Dahl's first of the season.
The Pipers improve to 6-6-1, while the Blugolds fall to 9-5 overall. This snapped an eight-game losing skid to UW-Eau Claire, as Hamline's last victory in the series was a 4-1 decision on November 24, 2009. Hamline is now 4-1 against WIAC schools this season.
Hamline 3, UW-Eau Claire 2 (OT)
After a scoreless first period, the Blugolds capitalized at the tail beginning and end of the second period. Cade Lemmer gave UW-Eau Claire a 1-0 lead 0:23 into the second period, before Ian Carpenter stretched that advantage to 2-0 at 19:16.
The opening two periods resulted in a 25-8 shots advantage for UW-Eau Claire, before the third was up-and-down. The Blugolds held a slim 7-6 edge in shots over the final 20:00, but it was Hamline who answered the bell behind Ryan Brandt's tally at 7:15 that cut their deficit to 2-1, and Jackson Wille's score at 12:31 that knotted things at 2-2.
The Pipers took care of business in overtime, when Derek Becklin sailed a pass across the ice from behind the net over to Erik Dahl, who fired a shot from the left circle that beat Blugold goaltender Max Gutjahr at the 3:36 mark.
The Blugolds out shot the Pipers 36-15.
Maximillian Haselbacher made 34 saves in net for Hamline, while Gutjahr stopped 12 shots for UW-Eau Claire.
The Pipers will host UW-Superior tomorrow, Saturday, January 14 at 5 p.m.
