RIVER FALLS, WIS.— The 2024-25 season opener pitted the Hamline University men's hockey team at UW-River Falls on Thursday night. Graduate transfer Thomas Carls gave the Pipers a 1-0 lead on their first shot on goal of the season at 1:33 of the first period before the Falcons bounced back and cruised to a 6-3 victory.
Hamline falls to 0-1, while River Falls improves to 2-0.
UW-River Falls 6, Hamline 3
After Thomas Carls' first-period tally, Hamline didn't find the back of the net again until the third period. The Falcons netted four goals between those instances courtesy of Dylan Smith at 3:46 of the first period, Aidan Torres at 7:49, Reid Lune at 12:13, and Jonny Meiers at 11:28 of the second period that gave them a 4-1 cushion.
Will Matzke cut River Falls' lead in half to 4-2 on the power play at 3:57 of the third. This kick started a third frame that saw each team trade a pair of goals. Burke Simpson pushed the Falcons' advantage to 5-2 at 7:25 of the third period before Carson Simon answered the bell just :13 later at 7:38 that made the score 5-3. Both teams combined for just three shots on goal from that point forward, which included Ethan Lindahl's empty net tally at 18:16 that iced a 6-3 win for the Falcons.
River Falls outshot Hamline 40-19. Carson Simon paced the Pipers with one goal and one assist. Brandon McNamara dished two assists, followed by one apiece from Jacob Hicks, Brock Carls, and AJ Carls.Â
The Falcons were led by Reid Lune's one goal and two assists. Owen Belisle notched three assists, while Anthony Biniaris had two.
Hamline goaltender Maximilian Haselbacher made 34 saves. Brennan Boynton stopped 16 shots for River Falls.
The Pipers will travel to UW-Stout on Saturday, November 9 for a 7 p.m. game.
