Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - On their home ice Saturday night, the Bethel Royals men's hockey team couldn't quite muster enough as they fell short in a 1-3 defeat to the Gustavus Adolphus Gusties. Coming off a dramatic 6-5 overtime thriller the night before, the Royals only managed one goal tonight off the stick of Jake Calleja (Fr., New Richmond, Wis.) in the first period.

The Royals fell behind early in the first after the Gusties got on the scoreboard thanks to a goal from Eric Bigham. Kyle Dynan's brother, Patrick Dynan, extended the Gustie lead just minutes later with a goal of his own. It wasn't until the dwindling minutes of the first period, with the Royals on a power-play, that they found the net. Calleja was assisted on his goal by Kyle Dynan (Sr., Orono, Minn.) and Christian Fogerty (Jr., Forest Lake, Minn.).

After an offensive first period, the game turned into a battle of defense as the Gusties would only add one more goal on the evening to extend their lead. Aaron Damjanovich (Sr., Remer, Minn.) had a stellar performance in goal tonight for Bethel, compiling 41 saves between the pipes with 15 and 16 saves recorded in the second and third periods. Despite Damjanovich's play, the Gustie goaltender Josh Swartout was equally as impressive, making 20 saves on the night, helping contribute to the Gustie victory.

The loss was the first in conference play this season for the Royals. They now move their record to 3-1 in the MIAC and 3-5 overall on the season. Bethel doesn't play this week with the Thanksgiving break, but they will be back in action the following week when they take on UW-River Falls at home on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.