Hamline 4, Yellowjackets 2

In an old episode of NHL Films, one-time Cleveland Browns Head Coach Sam Rutigliano was heard uttering a certain phrase from the sidelines. That phrase, "Penalties, penalties, penalties."

Coaches Richard McKenna of the Yellowjackets and Cory Laylin of Hamline can both sympathize with the N.F.L. legend's plight.

Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota the Yellowjackets and Pipers engaged in one of the strangest games in recent memory. The teams combined for 21 penalties, including 18 through the first two periods. In the final period the teams played more five-on-five hockey than the first two combined, and when the dust settled there were six goals on the board. Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets, they weren't able to muster enough offense to earn their third straight win.

Hamline got a goal in the first minute and another late to pick up a 4-2 win over the Yellowjackets at TRIA Rink.

A victory Saturday for the Yellowjackets (7-9-2, 0-1-1) would not only have provided with the team with its first three-game winning streak of the season, it also would have evened the team's record at .500 and matched last year's victory total. The latter will have to wait for another day.

The awkward affair got off to an ominous start with the Yellowjackets going on the power play just 11 seconds in. Through the first period the Yellowjackets had four power plays to three for Hamline, but the game remained scoreless. The second period offered more of the same, as the steady stream of players to the penalty box continued, and again despite multiple power play chance the game was still 0-0.

That changed at the 50 second mark of the third period when Hamline's Jaycob McCombs scored on a deflection to put the Pipers ahead.

The Yellowjackets answered quickly when Ian Ecklund (Twig, Minn./Proctor) scored his team-leading 12th goal of the year, putting a shot from the right circle past Hamline goaltender Evan Robert to tie the game.

The tie was short-lived, however, as Hamline regained the lead moments later on an Andrew Paras goal. The Pipers extended the lead to 3-1 at 14:45 of the third when McCombs scored his second of the game, this time converting on a shorthanded breakaway.

With time winding down and goaltender Cole Skinner (Lunenberg, N.S./Parkview Education Centre) on the bench for an extra attacker, the Yellowjackets pulled to within one. Troy York (Plano, Texas/Plano West), off a centering pass from Ecklund scored his second of the year, and with 2:15 to play the Yellowjackets moved to within 3-2.

Hamline put it out of reach, however, with just over a minute to go when Mitch McPherson scored an unassisted empty net goal to make the final score 4-2.

Special teams loomed large for the Yellowjackets. The penalty kill was perfect, killing all six Hamline power plays and increasing its already robust percentage (85.7 per cent entering the game), but the power play had a difficult night. In total the Yellowjackets had 12 chances in the game with the man advantage, including three two-man power plays, but unfortunately they came up empty on the night in addition to surrendering the shorthanded goal.

Skinner saw his record drop to 6-5-2 with the loss. He finished the game with 18 saves. The Yellowjackets outshot Hamline 27-22 for the game.

Up Next: The Yellowjackets will continue their road swing when they travel to Hancock, Michigan for a date with Finlandia Tuesday, January 16. Game time from Hancock County Arena is set for 6:00 p.m. CST. It will be the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Yellowjackets winning 3-2 November 18 and 3-1 December 9. Both games were played at Wessman Arena.