Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team was dealt another blow in a season of near misses as the Royals fell victim to another one goal defeat, 4-3 at St. Olaf College. Bethel built a 3-0 lead after the first period but St. Olaf responded with three goals in the second to tie the game up. The game appeared to be headed to overtime but the Oles were able to put a rebound home with just 44 seconds remaining to get the regulation win. The loss marks the 10th one goal loss or tie for the Royals (3-13-2) on the season.

After being shut out Friday night in a 1-0 loss at home to St. Olaf, the Royals wasted little time getting their offense cranked up in the first period. Brock Raffaele scored for Bethel just 1:20 into the game on assists by Travis Payne and Tyler Swanson. Garrett Windle then put the Royals up 2-0 with a goal at the 7:06 mark. Josh Freitas assisted Windle. Raffaele scored his second goal of the night on a Bethel power play at 13:45 to give Bethel the early three goal lead. Unfortunately, it would be the last score of the night for Bethel.

St. Olaf chipped away by scoring at 5:18, 12:22 and 19:13 in the second period to erase the Bethel lead. Contributing to the Royals second period problems was four penalties, leading to two St. Olaf power play goals. The Oles outshot Bethel 25-6 in the period.

The third period was a much different looking period as there were no penalties called on either side and just a total of 18 shots combined by the two teams. The final shot of the night, however was the difference as the Oles came away with the score on a rebound from a pair of St. Olaf shots with just 44 seconds remaining.

Steven Bolton made 43 saves for Bethel, including 22 in the second period alone when St. Olaf went on four different power plays. Bethel was called for five different penalties, totaling 10 minutes while St. Olaf had two for seven minutes.

Bethel will take a weekend off from MIAC play before their final three MIAC series against the top three teams in the standings, St. Thomas, Saint John's and Gustavus. The Royals will host the third ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in a non-conference tilt next Saturday night at Bethel University Arena.