BOX SCORE
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Bethel University opened the 2012 MIAC women's hockey postseason with a thrilling upset over St. Olaf Tuesday night, as the Royals defeated the Ole's in extra time 5-4 after being down 3-1 in the third period. BU played from behind again, as a 2-0 deficit at the end of the first period put Bethel in a position it is all-too-familiar with. Last night's contest was the seventh time in the last nine games BU has allowed its opponent to score first in the competition, yet the Royals made up for it by out-shooting the Ole's 51-28 and scoring three consecutive goals in the third period throughout the quarterfinal affair.
St. Olaf put the first two points on the board, as the Ole's manufactured two goals in the first period at the 12- and 18-minute mark. Bethel didn't quit though, and scored the only goal of the second frame one minute in on a power play goal by
Biz Huss (Jr., Beaver Bay, Minn.) that was set up by teammate
Cristina Masten (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.). After two periods of play the Royals had outshot St. Olaf 30-12, which left BU and its fans even more eager for a first round victory.
That eagerness had to be harnessed, however, as the Ole's torched the Bethel defense 42 seconds into the third period, which put the Royals down 3-1. Another power play advantage helped BU get within one when Masten recorded her 17th goal of the season on a
Kalie Johnson (Fr., Richfield, Minn.) and
Anna Carlson (Sr., Roseville, Minn.) assist. Huss then scored the equalizer with 9:42 remaining, as another Carlson assist helped Huss convert the third power play goal of the competition. Huss lit the lamp 42 seconds later on a go-ahead goal assisted by Johnson, awarding Huss with her first hat trick of the season. The lead didn't hold throughout the remaining time, though, as the Ole's managed a timely goal with 1:21 on the clock, evening the game at four each.
Typically in a regular season clash, play is over after a five-minute overtime. However, due to the postseason rules play continued longer than the five-minute segment.
Molly Eagles (Jr., Falcon Heights, Minn.) made sure it didn't take too much longer, as the junior out of Falcon Heights, Minn. seared the net for her second game-winning goal of the season on an assist by
Haley Toter (Sr., Park Ridge, Ill.). The goal 6:01 into the sudden death session gave the Royals the 5-4 victory and helped BU advance to the MIAC Semifinals.
Bethel tallied 51 shots on the Ole net – the most shots in a single game in the 2011-12 campaign – which led to five goals by three different players. Huss, who picked up the second hat trick by any Royal of the season, led the way with eight shots, followed closely by
Rachael Geng (Sr., South St. Paul, Minn.), who finished with seven. Masten also recorded six shots.
The Royals will now play the No. 1 seeded Gustavus Adolphus College Thursday, March 1 in a 7 p.m. matchup. BU and GAC are no strangers to one another, as the two met in the MIAC Championship game just a season ago. The winner of Thursday's game will advance to the conference championship match against the winner of Concordia College and the University of St. Thomas.
