BLAINE, Minn. – Bethel University's men's hockey program skated its way to a 5-3 victory Friday night after outscoring the visiting Cardinals from Saint Mary's University 3-0 in the third period rally. The Royals, desperately looking to get out of its recent skid, outshot SMU 31-24 boosting BU to 4-3 within conference play.
Both teams teeter tottered goals in the first period as the Cardinals started first, with a goal just over 13 minutes into the game when Jed McGlasson slipped an unassisted shot through the “five-whole” of goalie
Dan Harper (So., Blaine, Minn.). BU rallied by hitting the equalizer on a
Chaz Gerads (Sr., Blaine, Minn.) one-timer while falling down from
Austin Hatch (Sr., Cloquet, Minn.), balancing the game at one a-piece.
SMU started the second period with its second goal of the game at the 17:09 mark, putting the Cardinals ahead 2-1. Bethel didn't wait long until evening the score once again, just three minutes later when
Jake Kogler (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) scorched the Saint Mary's net on his eight ninth goal of the 2011-12 campaign. Kogler's goal came on a
Chris Fiala (Sr., Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and
Austin Hatch assist. The Cardinals displayed its gumption when scoring with one second left in the second period on a shot from nearly the blue line that put SMU ahead 3-2 going into the final period.
Jake Kogler started the third frame out exceptionally well for BU with his tenth goal of the season eight minutes in. Kogler scored on another Fiala assist, alongside
Jon Crouse (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.).
Jack Paul (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn.) gave the Royals its first lead of the game on his eighth goal of the season, with both teams at even strength. Paul's unassisted goal caught the net from the goalie's backside, sending the crowd at the Bethel University Arena wild.
Jimmie Perkins (Fr., Chicago, Ill.) closed out the game with an empty net goal that gave the Royals the insurance goal necessary to close out the game with a 5-3 victory.
Beyond
Jake Kogler's two goals and
Jack Paul's goal and an assist several individuals contributed to the Royal's effort. Senior
Chris Fiala added three assists, while Gerads got in the on the scoring party. For the night Paul led all BU skaters with five shots fired.
Dan Harper got his third MIAC victory of the season in his 21-save, three goals against performance. Harper now holds a winning record of 3-2 within conference play.
The Royals will not play Saturday as it prepares for a Friday-Saturday double-header next weekend against St. Olaf. BU will host the Oles Friday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Northfield, Minn. Saturday to face the Oles again.
