Box Score
WINONA, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team jumped out early with a power play goal mid-way through the first period, but Saint Mary's scored four unanswered goals the rest of the way to claim the opening game of a pivotal MIAC series 4-1. The Cardinals improved to 4-1 in MIAC play and are now the only team with one loss as the Royals fall to 5-2 while St. Thomas was defeated 1-0 by Hamline to also fall to 5-2.
 
“We started strong early in the first period but ran into penalty trouble and lost momentum,” said Royals coach Charlie Burggraf.
 
Both teams were penalized a total of fifteen times with Bethel totaling eight power play opportunities and Saint Mary's five. Mitch Hughes scored on the Royals first power play midway through the first period. For Hughes it was his sixth consecutive game with a goal and his eighth during that stretch. Dan Rowland and Brock Raffaele assisted on the play. Just over six minutes after Hughes' goal the Cardinals were able to score shorthanded to tie the game and swung momentum in their favor. Saint Mary's scored again at the beginning and end of the second period and added their final goal midway through the fourth period, for the 4-1 final margin.
 
The two teams will match up again Saturday night at the Bethel University Arena at 7 p.m.