Box Score

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. - Bethel's bid to repeat as MIAC playoff champions came to an abrupt end tonight as St. Thomas defeated the Royals 7-1. 

Bethel entered tonight's game having won or tied eight of their last nine games.  However, they had been swept by the Tommies during the regular season, falling 4-1 at home in Blaine, Minn., and then 6-5 in overtime the following night at St. Thomas Arena.

The Royals were only able to fire off 14 shots on goal the entire game, their lowest total of the season.  Bethel's lone goal came 4:05 into the third period when two-time All-MIAC defenseman Steve Eastman (Sr., Edina, Minn.) scored with the help of fellow seniors Bill Menozzi (Lakeville, Minn.) and three-time All-MIAC forward Jeff Balvin (Maple Grove, Minn.).

Andrew Panchenko earned a hat trick for the Tommies, scoring a goal in each of the three periods.  Tom Knutson scored two goals and added two assists for four points on the night.

Bethel closes out their season with a 16-7-2 overall record, and they are now 1-3 against St. Thomas in postseason play over the past four seasons.  The Royals defeated the Tommies 5-3 in the MIAC playoff championship game last season to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.  St. Thomas improves to 18-6-2 and will face Hamline at Drake Arena for the conference championship next Wednesday.