ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- The College of Saint Benedict hockey team erased a two-goal deficit Friday night, scoring twice in the third period to earn a 2–2 overtime tie with No. 5 Hamline at Ritsche Arena before the Pipers claimed the extra MIAC point with a 1–0 shootout win.

Goals from Bailey Vesper (South Saint Paul, Minn.) and Presley Kraemer (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) fueled the comeback for the Bennies, who battled back after trailing 2–0 through two periods in a matchup between teams ranked or receiving votes nationally and occupying the top two spots in the MIAC standings.

With the overtime tie, Saint Benedict moved to 11-3-4 overall and 6-2-3 in conference play, totaling 23 MIAC points. Hamline improved to 14-3-1 overall and 8-2-1 in league action, holding a narrow conference lead with 26 points.

After a scoreless opening period, Hamline struck first midway through the second. Nina Thorson scored her ninth goal of the season at even strength to give the Pipers a 1–0 lead, with Grace Delmonico and Ellie Newpower each recording their 10th assist of the year. Hamline extended its advantage late in the period when Abigail Chamernick netted her seventh goal of the season at 18:37, assisted by Delmonico, who picked up her second of the night and 11th of the season, and Kaiya Sandy, who earned her third assist.

Saint Benedict's rally began early in the third period as Vesper broke through with her fourth collegiate goal. The even-strength tally was set up by fellow first-year Regan Flohrs (St. Paul, Minn.), who recorded her fourth assist of the season, and senior Mia Lopez (Plymouth, Minn.), who added her sixth.

The Bennies completed the comeback in dramatic fashion in the final minute. With the goalie pulled for an extra skater, Kraemer scored the tying goal at 19:13, marking her team-leading 10th goal of the season and the 22nd of her career. Emily Wendorf (Minnetrista, Minn.) earned her sixth assist of the year on the play, along with Avery Kasick (Andover, Minn.), who had her first career assist.

The tightly contested game remained deadlocked through overtime, sending the contest to a shootout, where Hamline secured the additional conference point.

Hamline finished with a slim 32–25 edge in shots on goal, though Saint Benedict outshot the Pipers 9–7 in the third period and 5–2 in overtime. Hamline controlled play in the second period with a 14–2 shot advantage. Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play.

In goal,first year Lexi Badali (St. John, Ind.) turned in another strong performance for the Bennies, stopping 30 shots and allowing just two goals in 64:35 of action. Hamline held a 56.6 percent advantage in faceoff wins, while CSB was led by senior Chloe Lewis (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), who won 10 of 13 draws.

The two teams will meet again Saturday at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minn., with puck drop scheduled for 2:30 p.m.