ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Friday night, the Cardinal men's hockey team traveled to St. Paul to take on conference opponent Hamline in a game one of two series. The Cardinals defeated the Pipers in an all-around effort 6-1.
 
The Cardinals played the majority of the first period down a man as they racked up four penalties for a total of eight minutes allowing the Pipers to run their offense. The Cardinals played stellar defense down a man and did not allow a goal and the teams were shutout after period one.
 
In 15 minutes of the second period, the Cardinals brought the heat. Cole Mickel netted the first goal of the game, assisted by Colin Tushie, on a power play to put the Cardinals ahead five minutes into the period. Less than a minute later, Nathan Solis netted the second goal for the Cardinals after stealing the puck in the Pipers zone to sneak it past their goalie.
 
The Cardinals became unstoppable in four minutes after netting the insurance goal a minute after the second goal. It was Saint Mary's Ryan Berglund who nets the third goal to put the team ahead by three. His goal was assisted by Blake Arneson.
 
The Cardinals never took their foot off the gas and shared the wealth of the puck. Cardinals forward Tushie netted the fourth goal on their second power play goal of the period with eight minutes remaining. Teammates Mickel and Joona Juntunen with the assists.
 
Hamline did not let themselves get shutout in the second as they tallied a goal with two minutes remaining for a score of 4-1 going into the third.
 
Juntunen scored just 22 seconds into the third period for his first goal of his collegiate career to give the Cardinals the commanding 5-1 lead. Carter Newpower tallied the assist off of the beaten face off.
 
The Pipers proceeded to take the next seven shots on goal to put some pressure on the Cardinals. Saint Mary's goal tender AJ Ruskowski did not let a shot go by. He recorded 34 saves.
 
With three minutes left in the third, the sixth different Cardinal scored to lead 6-1. Senior Gabe Potyk, assisted by Warner Young, netted the final goal in the Cardinals commanding win over the Pipers at their home arena.
 
The Cardinals scored a season high six goals with each goal being scored by a separate Cardinal.
 
The Cardinals return home tomorrow night at 7 p.m. to face the Pipers for their second game of the weekend series.