Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - Penalties can kill. That's what the Saint John's Johnnies found out against Bethel as the Royals capitalized on three power play opportunities and an empty net to win 4-2, thus sweeping the season series.

Much like the previous night, Bethel got on the scoreboard early in the first period. Eric Adams (Sr., Litchfield, Minn.) put the Royals up 1-0 on a power play with his fourth goal of the season, assisted by John Kovacs (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Brent Kettelkamp (Sr., Richfield, Minn.). Less than five minutes later, captain Kent Bostrom (Sr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) lit the lamp with another power play goal, extending his streak of games with at least one point to eight. Brad Peterson (Sr. Bloomington, Minn.) and Mason Swenson (Eagan, Minn.) were both credited with assists.

Saint John's cut their 2-0 deficit in half early in the second period with a goal by Grant Ellena, also on a power play, assisted by  Dylan Decker and Brent Broderson.  But at 18:22 into the middle period, Peterson put Bethel back out in front by two goals with the help of Chris Fiala (Fr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.).

Fast-forward to late in the third period. That's when Saint John's, as they had done the night before, began pulling their goalie out of the net to skate with a man advantage. Initially it paid off for them tonight. That's because Clayton Rehm and Pat Connely connected with Jake Hipp to score on a slapshot from just inside the blue line making the score 3-2 with 57 seconds remaining.

But any momentum the Johnnies may have had was quickly slowed to a dead stop when Fiala scored an empty net goal that slowly trickled into the net the Johnnie net to put Bethel back out on top by two goals 4-2.

Goaltender Aaron Damjanovich (Jr., Remer, Minn.) stopped 30 Johnnie shots tonight, while his counterpart, Steele DeFazio, recorded 22 saves.

The win helps Bethel pull their conference record to an even 2-2, giving them an overall record of 5-2-1. Meanwhile, Saint John's falls to 1-7 overall and 0-4 in MIAC competition. Bethel is scheduled to return to the ice next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to take on UW-Superior at home.