Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Saint John's hockey posted a 4-2 win over previously-unbeaten Hamline in its home opener on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.

Sophomore forward Robb Stautz (Roseville, Minn.) tallied two third-period goals and added an assist, while senior goaltender Tyler Nelson (Champlin, Minn.) made 39 saves in the win for SJU (4-2-1, 2-1-0 MIAC).



Following a scoreless first period, freshman defenseman Kyle Wagner (St. Francis, Minn.) gave SJU a 1-0 lead at the 10:39 mark of the second period on a long shot through traffic for his first collegiate goal. 

Brandon Wahlin tied it for HU (4-1-2, 2-1-0 MIAC) on a rebound goal less than three minutes later (13:30).

Junior forward Sam Valerius (Maple Grove, Minn.) gave the lead back to the Johnnies with a nifty goal, his second of the season, with 23 seconds left in the second frame. Valerius skated through the high slot, swung back toward the net and unleashed a high shot over the Pipers' goaltender. 

Stautz padded the Johnnies' lead with his first goal of the 7:54 into the third period, but Dan Bartkowiak made it a one-goal game for HU with a rebound goal at the 11:34 mark. Stautz ended the scoring with a rebound goal of his own, on the power play, to seal the win with 5:05 remaining.

The Pipers out-shot SJU 41-33 in the game, though the home team recorded a 14-8 advantage in the third period. HU goaltender Justin Quale entered the game with a 1.44 GAA and a .954 save percentage in four games (2-0-2 record) so far this season. The Johnnies blocked a total of 20 shots on the night.

The Johnnies travel to face Hamline for a 7 p.m. puck-drop on Friday, Nov. 18, at Oscar Johnson Arena in St. Paul.