Hamline drops Ole men in MIAC semifinals

Mike Ludwig
February 28, 2009

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Hamline University raced to a 2-0 lead in the game's first three-plus minutes and defeated host St. Olaf 5-1 in the semifinal round of the MIAC men's hockey playoffs on Saturday night.

Ryan Kupperman had two goals and an assist to lead the Pipers. Kupperman assisted on Brian Arrigoni's goal at 1:07 of the first and scored at 3:25 to give HU a quick 2-0 lead.

St. Olaf got within a goal on Charlie Raskob's tally at 12:56.

After more than 20 minutes of scoreless hockey, HU distanced itself from the top-seeded Oles with a Jared Hummel power-play goal at 13:39 of the second.

Hamline sealed the win with two more power-play goals, one from Chris Berenguer at 13:02 of the third, and Kupperman's second goal of the game with 50 seconds left.

St. Olaf was outshot only by five, 33-28, but was 0-for-4 on power plays. The Pipers went 3-for-6.

The Oles, who won their first MIAC regular-season title in 70 years earlier this month, have a school record 16 wins (16-7-3).

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.