Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team rebounded from a disappointing loss Friday night with a 4-3 win on the road against Saint Mary's University. For the second consecutive Saturday, four different Royals scored a goal in a Bethel win, this one giving them three much needed points in the MIAC standings. Bethel built an early 3-0 lead in the first 10:28 of the game and held on as SMU slowly chipped away, tying the game at three early in the third period. Jack McFarlane scored the game winner for Bethel with just over eight minutes remaining.

The Royals wasted little time getting on the board, scoring just fifty seconds into the game. Bethel went on a power play after a holding call just 18 seconds in, and Tony Larson capitalized with the assist from Brock Raffaele and Mitch Hughes. The next Royals goal came at 8:45 in the first when Collin Mayer found the back of the net for the fourth time this year and the first since November 22 against Concordia. Eric Szafranski assisted. At 10:28 semester transfer Chris Williamson scored his first goal in a Royals uniform to stretch the Bethel lead to 3-0. Freshman Michael Bond assisted Williamson, who came to Bethel from Concordia College. Saint Mary's was able to get one back a minute and a half later as Nick Albergo scored for the Cardinals. Albergo went on to score again mid-way through the second period and again 5:29 into the third period to complete a hat trick and tie the game up. All three goals came during five-on-five play. Bethel and McFarlane were able to come through however and the Royals earned their second win in MIAC play.

The loss for Saint Mary's leaves them in second to last place in the MIAC with six points and a 2-4 MIAC record, 6-8-1 overall. Bethel improves to 3-11-2 overall and 2-5-1 in MIAC play. Bethel's point total of eight leaves the Royals in sixth place, two points behind Concordia for the final MIAC playoff spot. Bethel's four remaining MIAC series will be against the top four teams currently in the standings, St. Olaf, Saint John's, St. Thomas and Gustavus. The Royals will host St. Olaf College next Friday night at 7 p.m. in Bethel University Arena at the National Sports Center in Blaine.