Box Score  Player Perspective: [Grandner] [Chuhel]
 
BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team picked up their third straight win Friday night in a 2-1 victory over Concordia College. The Royals controlled play all night long and owned a 39-20 shot advantage for the game but found themselves trailing 1-0 early in the second period. Two quick goals, however, later in the second period gave Bethel the lead and they held on to improve to 3-0 in MIAC play. Corey Grandner and Alex Chuel scored their first goals of the season for the Royals.

“It was a hard fought win,” Royals coach Charlie Burggraf said. “It wasn't pretty. It was one of those games that you just have to battle through. We hit at least three pipes early on and their goalkeeper robbed us a few times, he was outstanding. But, we'll take the win. We will look at some things to change and hopefully come back and work hard tomorrow.”

The first period saw just 13 shots total, with neither team getting a lot of good scoring opportunities. The Royals hit the pipe once in the first period and then came out firing in the second; hitting the pipe twice within the first minute of the period while on a power play. The Royals dominated the puck possession and were also the more physical team but five minutes into the second period Concordia was able to score the game's first goal. The Royals had a decided shot advantage but found themselves being shutout until two goals, just 88 seconds apart, turned the game around at the 14:15 and 15:43 marks of the second period. The first goal was scored by senior Corey Grandner (Champlin Park, Minn.), as he headed towards the net he received a perfect pass from Josh Shingler (Jr., Shawano, Wis.), from just to the right of the net, and Grandner's one timer backhand went into the top right corner. The Royals next goal came off an easy rebound that was let up by the Cobber goaltender off a Tony Larson (Fr., Ham Lake, Minn.) shot and Alex Chuel (Fr., Cottage Grove, Minn.) was there to slide the puck just past the goalie for the eventual game winner. For Chuel it was his first collegiate goal. Jack Paul (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) also assisted on the play.

Dan Harper (Jr., Blaine, Minn.) was again solid in the net for the Royals to improve to 3-1 on the year. Harper needed to make just 19 saves, including four in the deciding second period. The Royals got off 30 shots in the final two periods and Cobber Goaltender Chris Neomonitis made 37 saves to keep the Cobbers close.

The win for Bethel was the first against Concordia since December 5, 2009. The two teams will close the series back at the Bethel University Arena Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. faceoff.