Joncarlo Westerlund scored the game-tying goal halfway through the third period to allow Gustavus the 3-3 tie against Hamline.
St. Paul – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey team used a two goal third period and a 2-1 shootout win to come away with two points on the road against Hamline University on Friday night at the Drake Ice Arena. Trailing 3-1 heading into the final period of regulation, Gustavus got goals from Blake Schammel (Sr., Red Wing, Minn.) and Joncarlo Westerlund (So., Baudette, Minn.) to tie the game at 3-3 and force overtime. After a scoreless overtime session, the Gusties converted on two of its three shootout attempts to earn the extra point in the conference standings.
Gustavus moves to 3-2-2 overall and 1-0-2 in the MIAC with the the 3-3 tie. Hamline is now 3-3-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the MIAC.
After skating to a 3-3 draw and eventually falling in the ensuing shootout to Concordia last Saturday in Moorhead, Gustavus was able to turn the tables in what was the team’s second straight shootout in Friday evening’s series-opener. After Hamline’s Andrew Herbert failed to convert in the first attempt, Blake Schammel put the Gusties up 1-0 on their first try. Kevin Novakovich failed in his second round attempt, and Tyler Lapic (Sr., New Prague, Minn.) gave the Gusties a 2-0 lead with a goal on Gustavus’s second attempt. Gustavus didn’t need a third round because goaltender Erik Johnson (So., Rice, Minn.) turned away Charlie Adams on the Pipers’ third and final attempt.
Following an opening period that featured a total of three goals, Gustavus went to the locker room at the first intermission down 2-1. Hamline’s Charlie Adams scored the game’s opening goal just :55 seconds into the game, yet Darren Lapic (Jr., New Prague, Minn.) was able to respond with the equalizer from Gavin Tufte (Jr., Blaine, Min.) and Cory Ellis (Sr., St. Paul, Minn.) halfway through the period at 11:38. With the clocking winding down on the frame, the Pipers struck again with the go-ahead goal (2-1) at the 18:41 mark by Jaycob McComb.
Hamlime built on its lead in the second period and carried a 3-1 advantage into the third thanks to Charlie Adams scoring his second goal of the game at 11:29 of the frame.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Gustavus came roaring back in the third. Blake Schammel first cut the gap to one (3-2) with this third goal in two games on a feed from Conor Deal (Fy., Anchorage, Alaska) at the 1:29 mark. Joncarlo Westerlund then netted the game-tying goal off an assist from Andy Pearson (Sr., Burnsville, Minn.) at the 10:48 mark.
Neither team could find the game-winner in overtime as Gustavus ended up with the shots advantage 37-31 following 65 minutes. The Gusties finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while Hamline went 0-for-3.
Gustavus goaltender Erik Johnson moves to 3-2-2 with the draw after making 28 saves, which included 14 in the second period and going 2-for-3 in the shootout. Hamline’s John Sellie Hanson got the result after making 34 saves.
The Gustavus men’s hockey team will conclude the series on Saturday night in St. Peter. The Gusties and Pipers will cap their early-season MIAC matchup with a 7:05 p.m. game at Don Roberts Ice Rink.