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Rachel Brobst, a first year student on defense said that each girl arrives two hours or more before the game and each one of them as their own way of getting psyched. Some of those rituals include playing hackey sack, listening to music and relaxing, or watching the practices or games that are on the ice before their game. She also said that this was the time that the girls taped their sticks and had team warm-up and stretch.

Rachel said “We worked hard against St. Kate’s. The goals just didn’t come.” Throughout the game Hamline out shot St. Kate’s shooting 47, while the Wildcats only shot 30. Though they played well, it just seemed to be “one of those games.” One shot made by a Piper player even deflected off the goal post and right back to a Wildcat skater. -Wildcat goalie Morgan Kane had 47 saves the entire game, while Hamline goalie Rachael Young had 27 saves on the game.

Penalties seemed to be another draw-back in scoring for the Pipers. More than once the game was in power play. It was during power play that one of the goals scored against Hamline. The referees called everything. The entire game Hamline had five two minute penalties and St. Kate’s had seven two minute penalties.

Even the ice itself seemed to be going against the Pipers. The ice sheet was in such poor condition at Rider arena that the game actually had to be stopped to clear water from the surface on one side of the rink. Brobst even heard Hamline coach Garnet Asmundson ask the St. Kate’s coach Brad Marshall if this sort of thing happened often, and the response was surprising. Apparently it happens every game, yet nothing is done to prevent it.

Though the condition affected both teams equally, two of the three goals that Hamline let in were on the side of the ice with the worse conditions. It wasn’t easy to clear the puck from the Piper’s area because of the water that covered the ice, leaving the Pipers vulnerable.

There was a very good turnout for the game. The cheers from the fans kept the game exciting from the start of the clock up to the final buzzer.

A lot can determine the outcome of a game. The before game rituals are as important as the actual game. And with the ice and other obstacles that the team faced they put up a good effort. With effort and continued support by the Hamline community the team believes it can continue to represent the University with competitive games and seasons in the future. Bad ice and luck to match notwithstanding.