ST. PETER, Minn. - In a back-and-forth, hard-fought, physical game, the Bethel Royals men's hockey team continued their winning ways in dramatic fashion on the road over the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties. Two third period goals, including a last-minute goal by Jon Crouse (Fr., Alexandria, Minn.) with an extra attacker sent the game to overtime, and Mason Swenson (So., Eagan, Minn.), in his first game back from injury, eventually scored the game winner, giving the Royals a thrilling 6-5 MIAC conference victory.

It didn't take long for the Royals to get on the scoreboard as Jack Paul (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.) put the Royals ahead 1-0 only 1:26 into the game. That lead however was short-lived as just over four minutes later, Gustie forward David Martinson scored the first of his four goals on the night. Martinson scored again just over halfway through the first period, putting the Gusties up 2-1. The Royals answered back just over a minute later when Jake Kogler (Fr., Forest Lake, Minn.) tied the game back at 2-2 with assists going Jake Calleja (Fr., New Richmond, Wis.) and Swenson. However, the Gusties grabbed the lead right back when former Royal Rory Dynan put the Gusties back on top 3-2 heading into the first intermission.

The Royals fell behind by two goals just 44 seconds into the second period when David Martinson put the Gusties ahead 4-2 on his third goal of the game. Tom Menozzi (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) brought the Royals back within one goal at 4-3 when he scored his second goal of the year on a pass from Josh Simi (Fr., Apple Valley, Minn.).

Down by just one goal at the start of the third period, senior goalie Aaron Damjanovich (Sr., Remer, Minn.) and the Royals' defense killed off two minor penalties to keep the game in reach. But with the Gusties clinging to their one goal lead, David Martinson put the Gusties up 5-3 with a thought to be insurance goal with just over nine minutes remaining. Down, but not out, the tenacious Royals clawed their way right back into the game 58 seconds later when Chris Fiala (So., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) scored with the help of Crouse and Menozzi to make the score 5-4. Still down 5-4, and with time against them, the Royals were forced to pull Damjanovich in a last ditch effort to tie the game. Call it luck, call it a miracle, call it whatever you want, but the Royals tied the game at five apiece with 30 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime, thanks to Crouse's goal.

The Royals, who were a previous 0-6 in power play opportunities on the night chose a good time to capitalize on the man advantage as Swenson scored the game winning goal on the power play to give the Royals a thrilling 6-5 victory. Damjanovich picked up his 42nd career win, and needs just one more to set a new school record for the category. Bethel Hall of Fame member Doug Voss, who played from 1984-87 currently holds the record.

Bethel improves to 3-4 overall, 3-0 in conference play while the Gusties fall to 3-3-1 overall and 1-1-1 in MIAC play. The Royals are set to take on the Gusties tomorrow night at Bethel University Arena in Blaine, Minn., with the puck set to drop at 7 p.m.