The Gustavus men’s hockey team was shut down by a deliberate, defensive Hamline squad at Don Roberts Ice Rink on the Gustavus campus on Friday night. The freewheeling Gustie attack was slowed down by a strong Piper backcheck and the result was a frustrating 2-1 loss. Gustavus outshot Hamline 13-0 in the third period and had several outstanding scoring opportunities, but the Pipers held on for the important road victory.
Dustin Felton gave Hamline a 1-0 lead at 9:35 of the first period on a perfectly executed 3-on-2 break. Jim Erickson was credited with the assist. The Pipers led 1-0 at the end of the first period.
Hamline extended its lead to 2-0 when Corey Krogen scored a power play goal at 3:08 of the second period. Assists were credited to Steve Festler and Jared Hummel.
The Gusties got back in the game with a pretty power play goal at 17:21 of the second period. Tim Ornell took a blast from the point that Rory Dynan deflected into the lower left hand corner of the net. Ornell and Jay Fifield were credited with the assists. Hamline led 2-1 at the end of the second period.
Hamline spent the first minute-and-a-half of the third period killing off a power play and they did it without allowing the Gusties a shot. The Piper defense controlled a good portion of the third period as they continually turned away the Gustavus attack limiting the Gusties to one shot and keeping the puck out of the middle of the ice. Gustavus had its best opportunity of the third period when David Martinson found himself all alone in front of the net about 10 feet out and he whistled a slap shot at the upper left corner that ricocheted off the cross bar. Joe Welch put together two strong rushes late in the game and put a couple of good shots on net, however Piper goaltender Matt Wanvig turned him away each time.
The Gusties outshot the Pipers 30-21 in the game. Zachary Faust played the first 20 minutes for Hamline in the nets and Matt Wanvig played the final 40 minutes. Wanvig made 21 saves and earned the win for Hamline. Matt Lopes played the entire game for Gustavus in the nets. He made 19 saves and suffered the loss.
The two teams will play on Saturday night at 7:15 at Drake Arena on the St. Paul Academy campus in St. Paul, Minn.