SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s hockey team posted a convincing 7-1 win over Hamline on Friday in the opening matchup of the weekend series. The Gusties are now 9-6-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the MIAC while the Pipers drops to 3-13-4 and 1-7-3 in the conference.
Hamline got things going by scoring eight minutes in but the Gusties were able to respond quickly when Caleb Anderson (Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) grabbed his 10th goal of the season with assists from Nick Klishko (Jr., San Diego, Calif.) and Patrick Gazich (Jr., Minnetonka). J.P. Eykyn (Jr., Waseca) found the back of the net shortly after with a pass from Brenden Payne (So., Plainfield, Ill.) to secure a one-goal lead for the Gusties to close the first period.
The Gusties put the pedal to the floor in the second period with Will LeNeave (Jr., Medina) snagging a shorthanded goal with Payne getting the assist. Anderson tallied his second goal of the night on the Gustie power play, weaving through the Piper defense, with goaltender Robbie Goor (Jr., Anoka) getting his first career assist. Gustavus tacked on two goals in the final two minutes of the second period with Gazich getting his first collegiate goal assisted by Tyler Ebner (So., La Crosse, Wis.) and Tyler Rock (Jr., Savage). Jared Bromberg (Sr., Rochester) added on to the scoring just 14 seconds later with assists going to Klishko and Anderson. Anderson sealed the deal with a hat trick goal assisted by Bromberg and Connor Clemons (So., Savage).
Both teams would lock down on defense in the third period and hold the score to a 7-1 final. Goor made 20 saves and allowed one goal.
Both teams face off again tomorrow with a 7 p.m. puck drop in St. Paul.