Box Score Box Score

BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University men's hockey team was defeated by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-2 at the Bethel University arena Saturday evening. For the second consecutive night at home the Royals put up a strong fight but fell by a single goal to a undefeated visitor from Wisconsin. After four goals in the first 12:30 of the game fans looked to be in for a high scoring affair but just a single goal was scored following the initial scoring spree.

“Our guys deserve a lot of credit for heart and hard work,” Royals coach Charlie Burggraf said. “They gave a lot of effort and we were one turnover from a tie game.”

The Royals got on the board first when Dan Rowland scored 3:50 into the first period. He was assisted by Grant Dye and Colin Mayer. Five minutes later UW-Eau Claire tied the game up when their leading scorer Andrew McCabe beat goaltender Matt Rowe in the upper left corner. The Royals would regain the lead shortly after however, when Grant Dye whistled a shot past the Blugold keeper from the left wing at 10:38 in the first period. The first period scoring wasn't done there, as UW-Eau Claire took advantage of a power play to tie the game back up at two all with 7:30 left in the period. The offense slowed down in the second period for both teams, especially the Royals, as they were shutout and the Blugolds dominated the puck with a 14-7 shot advantage. The Royals however, just missed taking the lead back again when they had a goal waived off when the net dislodged just prior to the Royals knocking the puck in. UW-Eau Claire took the lead at 3-2 right at the end of the period when Jordan Singer scored off his own rebound. The third period was a defensive battle with neither team scoring.

Matt Rowe, making his second consecutive start had an excellent game in goal as he faced 40 shots and made 37 saves. The freshman saw a total of 75 shots in his two games this weekend.

“We got great goal tending from Matt Rowe,” expressed coach Burggraf. “We are a team with a lot of rookies. The heart and hard work is there and we will improve from her. Eau Claire is a great team, an elite team, and we belong. It was a great game for both teams.”

The Royals will look to rebound when they open MIAC play next Friday night against Gustavus Adolphus College. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. at the Bethel University Arena. The Gusties and Royals will face off Saturday in St. Peter, Minn. At 7:05 p.m.