The UW-River Falls men's hockey team used a three-goal third period to upend the Hamline University Pipers 5-2 on Saturday evening in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"We played a very high paced, physical game with a strong effort from our entire lineup," said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. "Our power play was sharp again."

Falcons sophomore center Christian George scored two goals and added an assist in UWRF's second game of the season. After a tying goal by the Pipers early in the third, the Falcons finished the contest with three straight goals.

George opened the scoring exactly five minutes into the first period with his seventh career goal. Sophomore forward Ryan Doner was credited with the lone assist, his second of the season.

Pipers freshman forward Brandon Reinholz tied the contest only 39 seconds later as his shot beat Falcons sophomore goaltender Tanner Milliron (2-0) on a power play. Junior defenseman Jonny Gehrt earned the only assist. Reinholz' tally was the first of his career.

Falcons sophomore defenseman Jeff Bergh scored his third career goal on a late first period power play to put UWRF ahead 2-1 with 21 seconds left in the period. The shot was blasted past Pipers sophomore goaltender John Sellie-Hanson (2-1). Both sophomore forward Taylor Burden and sophomore center Mitch Kontny earned their seventh career assists on the goal.

There was no scoring in the second period. Shots after two periods were 24-20 in favor of UWRF. The Falcons held a 21-12 edge in the face-off circle. George led UWRF with four shots on goal through two periods. Kontny, sophomore forward Cory Lushanko and senior captain forward Blake Huppert all had three shots each. Three Pipers led Hamline with three shots each through two, including Pipers leading scorer Kevin Novakovich. The Falcons opened the third period with 1:36 left on a power play but could not take advantage of the extra attacker.

Reinholz scored his second power play goal at 5:30 of the third period. Junior forward Charlie Adams and Gehrt were credited with the assists. The Falcons went on the power play just 22 seconds later after a holding call.

Doner made the Pipers pay with a power play goal at 7:37 of the third period, his eighth career goal. Freshman forward Kyle Gattelaro and George assisted on the goal. Gattelaro's assist was his first career point, while George upped his career assist total to 15.

George doubled the Falcon lead with his second goal of the evening at 11:37. The unassisted goal was George's eighth of his career.

Junior captain defenseman Alex Murphy, two days removed from his first career hat-trick, put the icing on the cake with a late third period power play goal at 18:09. Freshman defenseman Terry Leabo and Burden were credited with the assists. Leabo now has three assists in two career games.

UWRF out-shot the Pipers 33-26. The Falcons won the face-off battle 33-22. UWRF went 3-7 on the power play, while Hamline went 2-5. George led the Falcons with six shots on goal with Kontny chipping in four. Four Pipers finished with four shots each. Milliron made 24 saves and Sellie-Hanson finished with 28.

UWRF improves to 2-0 overall and 2-0 on the road. Hamline falls to 2-2 overall and 1-1 at home.

"I'm very encouraged in our vast improvement from our first game," said Freeman about the team's effort.

The Falcons play the Bethel University Royals at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, in Blaine, Minnesota. The Falcons are 15-5-1 all-time against Bethel.

Box Score