Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Bethel's bid to sweep the season series against St. Olaf fell short today as the Royals were defeated 4-3 on the road. The two teams played a back-and-forth battle all game, but ultimately, it was the Oles who emerged victorious by scoring the decisive goal with three minutes remaining in the game.

St. Olaf scored first at 16:23 into the first period, but Bethel answered when Jack Paul (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.) scored his 10th goal of the season just 2:20 into the second period, with assists going to Jake Kogler (So., Forest Lake, Minn.) and Jon Crouse (Fr., Alexandria, Minn.). The goal came by way of a 5-on-3 power play, and was the only power play goal scored all game. However, three minutes later, St. Olaf went back out on top by a score of 2-1.

Just inside three minute to play in the second, Steffen Hansen (Fr., Blaine, Minn.) pulled the Royals even once more, aided by Mason Swenson (So., Eagan, Minn.). After the intermission, St. Olaf insisted on taking the lead again by scoring eight minutes into the third period, only for the Royals to tie the game at three apiece a minute and a half later. Chaz Gerads (So., Blaine, Minn.) assisted Corey Grandner (Fr., Champlin, Minn.) on his second goal of the season, and the game remained deadlocked for nearly the next eight minutes.

Unfortunately, it was at 17:01 in the third that St. Olaf took the lead for good. Charlie Raskob scored his sixth goal of the season, and despite Bethel's efforts to tie by skating with an extra attacker, the Oles held strong to defeat the Royals.

Bethel was only able to fire six shots on goal during the entire third period and just 26 for the game compared to 38 for their counterparts. The loss drops the Royals to 9-12 overall and 7-5 in conference play with just two series remaining during the regular season. St. Olaf improves to 9-6-4 overall and 3-3-4 in the MIAC. Bethel will enjoy next weekend off before returning to the ice to take on St. Thomas the following weekend.