Pipers defeat Blazers, clinch MIAC playoff spot

Hamline scored the first two goals of the game, and Saint Benedict tied it up, before the Pipers tallied three goals in six minutes in the final period to clinch the playoff berth.

Sara Mickelson (Sr. Sr., West St. Paul, Minn.) started the Pipers off fast, scoring a power play goal at 2:03 in the first period, with assists credited to Sophie Davidson (So., St. Paul, Minn.) and Amanda Finstad (So., Waupun, Wis.).

At 7:52, a trio of first-year players combined for the second Piper goal, with Kesia Madryga (Burnsville, Minn.) scoring off of passes from Heather Ahlers (Stillwater, Minn.) and Jenny Novakovich (Shakopee, Minn.).

The Blazers responded at 8:19 in the second with their first goal, and then tied the game at 3:11 in the third on a power play goal.

Over halfway through the final period of play, Brianna Miller (Jr., Woodbury, Minn.) scored what would ultimately be the game-winner at 12:48. Finstad earned the assist.

Mickelson added her second goal of the game at 14:34 from Alli Miller (Fy., Fairbault, Minn.) to give Hamline a 4-2 advantage.

The fifth and final Piper goal came from Emily Dusold (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.) on an assist from Kate Raasch (Jr., St. Paul, Minn.) at 18:40 in a power play situation.

With the win, the Pipers are tied with Bethel for fourth in the conference, and have clinched a spot in the 2008 MIAC playoffs.

Hamline's record is now 12-9-3, 7-7-3 MIAC. They host the Blazers in a rematch on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. at Drake Arena to conclude the regular season.