Box Score
BLAINE, Minn. - For the second consecutive night, the Bethel Royals men's hockey team took on the Hamline Pipers in a match that would surely have significant ramifications on the MIAC playoff race. The Pipers were riding the momentum of their 4-0 victory from the previous night, only to have the Royals fight them with all they had in Saturday evening's matchup.
The Pipers jumped out to an early lead with a goal slightly under two minutes into the period. The Royals would claw back adding a goal of their own halfway through the period off the stick of
Jake Irey (Fr., Waterloo, Iowa) with assists from
Malcolm Richards (Fr., Yorktown, Va.) and Zach McGough (So., Roseville, Minn.). Despite the tenacious Royal play, the Pipers would find the net one more time before the period ended to extend their lead to 2-1.
Entering the second the Royals looked to even the score, however, that notion was quickly erased when the Pipers found the back of the net to extend their lead to 3-1. Bethel fought back later in the period to add a goal of their own when Tom Menozzi (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) tickled the twine to shrink the Piper lead to 3-2.
The score would remain the same throughout the third period of regulation as both defenses were too tough to penetrate.
Aaron Damjanovich (Sr., Remer, Minn.) recorded 26 saves on the evening to help keep the Royals in the game. With the loss the Royals move to 6-11 on the season and 4-4 in conference play. The Royals will take on Saint Mary's University next Friday evening when they continue MIAC play at the Schwan's Super Rink.
