Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel Royals closed out the regular season today by earning the third out of a possible four points in the conference standings against the St. Thomas Tommies with a 2-2 tie at Bethel University Arena. The tie gives Bethel an 11-9-4 overall record, and 10-5-3 conference record, which is the best in school history in both instances.

It didn't take long for the Royals to get on the scoreboard as Kelsea Martalock (So., Tomah, Wis.) scored at 1:35 into the first period with the help of Allison Papko (So., Winnipeg, Manitoba). However, St. Thomas saw to it that they would not be shut out against Bethel for the third time in a row as they scored two goals just over eight minutes apart, both in the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Papko lit the lamp to tie the game at 2-2 with the help of Mikaela Mahoney (Fr., Buffalo, Minn.) with seven and a half minutes remaining. The score remained knotted despite several scoring opportunities by both teams. There were five penalties between the two teams in the overtime period alone, which, at one point created a 5-on-3 advantage for the Royals for 23 seconds.

St. Thomas fired off 45 shots on goal to Bethel's 32, but it was Bethel who had the momentum from Papko's goal throughout the rest of the game.

Today's game also pitted two of the best goalies in the MIAC against each other as Lauren Bradel and Beth Spurrier (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) have 16 and 14 career shutouts to their names, respectively. Spurrier stopped 43 Tommie shots in the tie.

With the regular season now in the books, the two teams are scheduled to face off against each other next Saturday night in the first round of the MIAC playoffs. The time of the game has not yet been determined. Check the website in the coming days to find out game time information.