Blaine, Minn. - Men's Hockey was able to come away with 3/4 points this weekend against the Saint Mary's University Cardinals.  Although the Royals had a 3-1 advantage, the Cardinals were able to fight their way back into the game and end it with a 4-4 tie.

The Royals fell behind very early in the first period as St. Mary's, Ryan Griffiths (Arvada, Colo.) scored just 1:07 into regulation.  Bethel answered their goal with one by Chris Fiala from Tyler Sorensen and Garrett Windle.  Just 53 seconds later it was Christian Fogerty who sniped one from Austin Hatch to put the Royals up 2-1 at the end of the first.

The second period was a rubber match as the Cardinals out shot the Royal 8-7 without any scoring.  The period was also marked by the growing intensity and aggression seen by 6 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.  Efforts by goaltender Zac Bush kept the Royals up by a goal as he shut down a 3-on-0 rush by the Cardinals.

In the third, the Royals decided to score another goal as Jake Kogler shelved one, with the assist going to Ian Jensen.  St. Mary's brought the game back within reach by answering with two goal: one from Austin Balko (Midland, Mich.) and the other from Ryan Griffiths (Arvada, Colo.).  With 7:19 left in regulation the Royals pulled ahead with Corey Grandner's first MIAC goal from Tom Menozzi.  However, with 30 seconds left the Cardinals were able to tie the game as a penalty expired and an extra attacker was on the ice.  The GTG went to Kevin Wentland (Columbia Heights, Minn.)

Overtime yielded no result as the Royals offensive chances were stifled due to a cross-checking penalty.  The shots in overtime were largely in favor of the Royals as they racked up 6-1 chances.

The Royals' next game at the Bethel University Arena is Saturday, January 29th against St. Olaf.   Puck drops at 7:00 p.m.