For the first time in nine seasons, the Hamline women's hockey team is advancing to the MIAC playoffs. Melanie Bartenstein's efforts in Friday's 3-2 win over St. Catherine are one of the big reasons why.Â
The junior scored just one goal in her first two seasons on the team. She had scored all season until Friday when she added two more in the game that guaranteed HU will be playing next week.Â
With HU down 1-0 in th second period, Bartenstein tied the score at 6:47. Hamline took the lead late in the period but the Wildcats came back to tie the game on a power play early in the third. Bartenstein then untied matters for good when she picked up a loose puck and fired it home for her second of the night. Hamline held off a late SCU rally for the win to improved to 20 points and clinch a playoff spot.
The next day, Bartenstein was a major force with three shots on goal but a hot SCU goalie thwarted the Pipers, who ended up on the short end of a 2-1 OT decision. Hamline is now 10-6 in MIAC play and sits in fourth place. They are 12-10-1 overall. The Pipers face league leader Gustavus Adolphus this weekend. Friday's game is in St. peter. On Saturday, the teams are at Oscar Johnson for a 2:00 p.m. game.
Then, it's on to the postseason!
