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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Cory Simons
Jade Jensen

Men's Hockey

Hamline Trips Up Yellowjackets in Overtime

Box Score

Hamline 5, Yellowjackets 4 (OT)

Saturday's game between the Yellowjackets and Hamline was a matchup of two teams, each of which featured a potent top line. The top unit for the Pipers was particularly offensive, accounting for nearly half of the team's offense through the first five games of the season.

The top lines didn't disappoint, but in the end it was a defenseman that did the bulk of the damage.

Mitch Hall assisted on three goals in regulation then buried the game winner in overtime as Hamline edged the Yellowjackets 5-4 Saturday night at Oscar Johnson Arena in St. Paul.

Hamline has had the Yellowjackets' number of late, with the Pipers owning a 4-1-1 advantage over the last six meetings between the teams. With the loss the Yellowjackets are now winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

The Pipers jumped on the board first when Charlie Adams, a member of that high scoring Hamline trio, scored on a shallow angle shot from the right wing to make it 1-0 just 3:37 into the game. It was the first time this season that the Yellowjackets failed to score first in a game.

Hamline's lead didn't last long, however. Just 1:31 later Reed Murray (Calgary, Alberta/Centennial) fed a pass to Tyler Nystrom (Superior, Wis./Superior) in the right circle and his shot got past Hamline goaltender Justin Quale to tie the score. For Nystrom, it was his first collegiate goal, while for Murray it was his first collegiate point.

The Pipers regained the lead at the 14:15 mark of the first when Mitch McPherson drove the net and slid a loose puck underneath Yellowjacket starter Cory Simons (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), making it 2-1.

The Yellowjackets rallied in the second, and just after the period's midpoint again tied the game. On the power play Anton Svensson (Sodertalje, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) got the puck between the circles and his shot eluded Quale for his fifth of the year, evening the score at 2-2. Ian Ecklund (Twig, Minn./Proctor) and Matt Audette (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) assisted. Hamline regained the lead on the next shift when Brandon Zurn's breakaway shot beat Simons between the pads to make it 3-2.

Before the period was done, however, the Yellowjackets tied it and then took the lead. Daniel Litchke (Superior, Wis./Superior) started a rush up the right wing and fed a pass to Eric Shand (San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas). The junior defenseman crossed the Hamline and wired a shot past Quale from the high slot to tie the game at 15:09. Then in the final minute of the period Litchke scored his first goal of the year, driving the net and finishing off a brilliant three-way passing play to make it a 4-3 Yellowjacket advantage. Shand started the play at the blue line, moving the puck to the right circle for Ecklund, whose perfect feed found Litchke on the post.

Then in the third period the Yellowjackets got in penalty trouble and the Pipers drew even. In a goal similar to Litchke's, Jaycob McCombs drove the net and from the left side beat Simons to tie the game 4:24 into the third, and setting the stage for overtime.

Just 1:19 in the Pipers worked the puck to Hall in the high slot and his shot beat Simons low on the glove side, to make the final score 5-4.

The Yellowjackets outshot the Pipers 39-35 for the game. Simons suffered his first loss of the season, falling to 2-1-0 on the year, making 31 saves in the process. At the other end Quale made 35 stops.

Each team capitalized on the power play. Hamline went 1-for-5, while the Yellowjackets were 2-for-3. The Yellowjackets took five penalties for 10 minutes, while Hamline took three penalties for six minutes.

The Yellowjackets (3-2-1, 0-0-0 WIAC) return home Friday, November 20 when they host St. Norbert College at Wessman Arena. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard live on 91.3 FM, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m. The game can also be viewed live through UW-Superior's online partner, the iFan Sports Network. Jon Garver will have the call.
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Players Mentioned

Matt Audette

#3 Matt Audette

D
5' 10"
Junior
Ian Ecklund

#4 Ian Ecklund

F
6' 3"
Sophomore
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

D
6' 1"
Junior
Cory Simons

#30 Cory Simons

G
5' 10"
Junior
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

F
5' 8"
Junior
Daniel Litchke

#10 Daniel Litchke

F
5' 9"
Freshman
Reed Murray

#25 Reed Murray

F
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Matt Audette

#3 Matt Audette

5' 10"
Junior
D
Ian Ecklund

#4 Ian Ecklund

6' 3"
Sophomore
F
Eric Shand

#5 Eric Shand

6' 1"
Junior
D
Cory Simons

#30 Cory Simons

5' 10"
Junior
G
Anton Svensson

#11 Anton Svensson

5' 8"
Junior
F
Daniel Litchke

#10 Daniel Litchke

5' 9"
Freshman
F
Reed Murray

#25 Reed Murray

5' 10"
Freshman
F