RIVER FALLS, Wis. - The UW-River Falls men's hockey team defeated Hamline University 4-0 Friday evening at Hunt Arena during the 2022-23 season opener.
The Falcons, 1-0 overall, avenged last year's 2-0 loss against Hamline during the 2021-22 home opener.
UWRF peppered the Hamline netminder with 33 shots on goal, compared to the Pipers' 17 in which
Dysen Skinner saved all of them to earn his third career shutout.
It didn't take long for the home team to score the eventual game-winner, as
Gibb Coady put home a centering pass from
Sam Anzai on the Falcons' first shot attempt of the game, giving UWRF a 1-0 lead just 30 seconds into regulation.
The Falcons scored twice more in the first frame. Defenseman
Alex Davis scored near the midway point and
Noah Roofe scored on the power play late in the first to give UWRF a 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
In the final 20 minutes, the Falcons limited Hamline to just two shots on goal, and scored another quick goal as Anzai scored 27 seconds into the third period to give UWRF a four-goal cushion.
Freshman
Burke Simpson finished the night with two assists during his first game as a Falcon, along with linemates
Sam Anzai (1g1a) and
Gibb Coady (1g-1a) contributing two points each to headline the UWRF offense.
Hamline was 0-for-3 on power play opportunities while UWRF went 1-for-4. The Falcons were also held a commanding lead in faceoffs, 43-27.
Tomorrow, UWRF hosts another MIAC opponent in Saint John's University.
