Men's hockey opens season with 3-1 win over Hamline

Mike Ludwig
October 30, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - St. Olaf broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of third period goals to defeat Hamline University 3-1 in a non-conference men's hockey game in the MIAC Showcase on Friday at the Bloomington Ice Garden in the season-opener for each school.

Britton Smith's even-strength score at 5:59 of the third period was the game winner. Isak Tranvik added an empty net insurance goal in the final minute to help the Oles defeat the team that eliminated them from the 2008-09 postseason.

Nick Krauss made 22 saves to earn the win in net for the Oles, who led 1-0 on a first period goal from Caleb Harrison. Harrison assisted on Smith's game-winner while Charlie Raskob had two assists in the victory.

Hamline tied the game early in the third on Tyler Vichorek's goal. The Pipers took five penalties to the Oles' two in the otherwise statistically even game. St. Olaf held a slight edge in shots (25-23) and faceoff wins (32-30).

St. Olaf will play Concordia College-Moorhead tomorrow, in the team's final game in the event, at 5 p.m.

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