Courtesy of the MIACMIAC Hockey Showcase HomepageBLAINE, Minn. - The Royals certainly like the Showcase's new location - they play their home games in another rink at the same venue - as they improved to 2-0 with a thrilling, final-minute win over St. Olaf in the Oles' season debut. The two teams were tied at a goal apiece and appeared headed for overtime, but Bethel's Jackson Purvis had other plans as he netted the game-winning goal with just 1:00 to play to give the Royals a 2-1 victory.St. Olaf took advantage of an early penalty, as the Oles jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 2:29 into the game. Jonas Fredriksson scored a power play goal with Steven Sherman to give St. Olaf a strong start to the new season. However, the lead didn't last long as Bethel's Tony Larson scored an unassisted goal less than six minutes later to tie things up at 1-1, where the score remained until Purvis' late-game heroics. Michael Bond and Mitch Hughes assisted on the game-winning goal.
Bethel's Matt Arnold was great in goal, making 34 saves and allowing just the lone power play goal to earn the win. St. Olaf's Steve Papciak made 19 saves in the loss and was pulled for the final 30 seconds as the Oles tried to match the Royals' late goal. There were 17 total penalties in the game, and Bethel went 0-for-5 on the power play, while St. Olaf was 1-for-4. The Oles out-shot the Royals 34-21 in defeat.
