Box Score | Game Winning Goal Video

BLAINE, Minn - Mason Swenson (So., Eagan, Minn.) has three goals this season. All of them are overtime game-winners, including tonight's. On Monday evening, Swenson the Bethel Royals men's hockey team showed that they were fully capable of coming from behind and winning close games, a true sign of successful teams. The Royals fell behind early against the Northland College LumberJacks, only to claw their way back with an exciting victory in overtime at the Schwan's Super Rink.

Northland College opened up the scoring with a goal late in the first from Colin McIntosh. The score would remain the same throughout the first as the Royals defense and goaltender Aaron Damjanovich (Sr., Remer, Minn.) kept the game close by combating 15 shots on goal from the Jacks offense. The second period was a different story as the offenses exchanged blows. Northland once again started the scoring thanks to another goal from McIntosh. However, the Royals would come back midway through the period with a goal of their own from Chris Fiala (So., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) to shrink the Jacks lead to 2-1. Unfortunately, Northland would add a late goal in the second to once again extend their lead to 3-1.

Fiala led off the third with his second goal of the game with assists from Kyle Dynan (Sr., Orono, Minn.) and Tom Menozzi (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) just 3:25 into the period. Northland fired right back again with a goal to extend their lead to 4-2. Just when Bethel's chances were looking bleak, Jack Paul (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.) and Jake Calleja (Fr., New Richmond, Minn.) evened the game with goals at 9:46, and 13:03, respectively, that would ultimately force the game into overtime.

With both teams giving it their all, the Royals finally found the back of the net on a power-play opportunity. Swenson lit the lamp for a Bethel victory with a mere five seconds remaining in overtime. Thanks to Swenson's heroics, the Royals now move to 5-7 on the year. The goal was Swenson's second consecutive game scoring the decisive goal to give the Royals a victory. Bethel will take on Northland again tomorrow night at 5 p.m. at the Schwan's Super Rink.