Each team had several scoring opportunities in the opening period, but it was Jordan Van Gilder (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) who was able to capitalize once for the Pipers.

At 16:35 with the teams skating 4-on-4, he came down through the left circle and scored off of a pass from Danny Vranek (Sr., New Port Richie, Fla.). Chris Berenguer (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) had the second assist.

Hamline out-shot Gustavus 24-11 in that period, with Beau Christian (Jr., Moorhead, Minn.) making several key stops for the Pipers.

Brett Burgau (Sr., New Ulm, Minn.) gave Hamline the two-goal lead in the second, tipping in an Alex Lundbohm (Sr., Roseau, Minn.) shot at 13:01 in the second. Jay Fifield (Sr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) had the second assist.

With nearly three minutes remaining in the game, Gustavus pulled goalie Josh Swartout (Sr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) to put the extra attacker on the ice.

Hamline used the empty net to add a third goal to their tally as a diving Lundbohm flicked the puck to Brian Arrigoni (Sr., Saint Paul, Minn.) in the slot. Arrigoni's goal went in at 18:38. Kupperman was credited with the second assist.

The Pipers edged out the Gusties in shots, 39-36, with Christian pitching the playoff shutout for Hamline in net.

The MIAC championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, at 7pm at the Warner Coliseum. This is a change in the originally announced championship schedule due to a rink conflict.

The Pipers will host either #3 seed Concordia.

Hamline is now 15-6-5 overall after finishing with a 9-3-4 MIAC record during the regular season. Gustavus Adolphus is 15-10-2 overall and had a mark of 8-6-2 in MIAC play.