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St. Paul, Minn. - The Saint Benedict hockey team almost came all the way back from its biggest deficit of the year, but two third-period goals and a barrage of late shots weren't enough as they fell 3-2 on the road to Hamline tonight (Jan. 24).

The Blazers put found themselves in a 3-0 hole with just 12:50 left to play in the game. The Pipers have been on a hot streak lately, posting a 4-1-1 record since Dec. 14, and despite posting the league's lowest ranked scoring offense, have now scored multiple goals in five of their last six games .

After going down by three, however, the proverbial light turned on, and the offense started to click.

Tara Frey scored the Blazers' first, just 41 seconds after the Pipers scored their third. It was Frey's fourth of the year and kept her on pace with the team leaders, tying for second. Allyson Nielson assisted on the goal, her fourth helper on the year.

The Blazers kept the pressure on in the third, outshooting the Pipers 18-to-7 in the period alone, which led to a 37-to-33 edge in the game.

The attack paid off, as Alyssa Hoffman brought the Blazers within one, scoring the first of her career with just 3:37 to play. Hoffman was assisted by Megan Schwegman and Frey, as the Blazers capitalized on a power play.

Now with the tie within reach, the Blazers pulled goaltender Jenna Traut for an extra skater, and poured on the shots over the final 1:30, but were unable to get the final score the needed for the tie.

Quietly building its lead, Hamline put one goal on board in each period, while outshooting the Blazers 26-to-19 over the first two periods combined.

The Blazers drop their third straight and fall to 4-6-3 on the season and 2-6-1 in the MIAC, while the Pipers pull even with CSB in conference play at 2-6-1, and improve to 5-8-3 overall, with just one loss on their last six games.

The two teams will meet again to wrap up the series at 2 p.m., Jan. 26, back in St. Cloud, Minn. at the MAC.