BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team tasted defeat for the first time this season Friday night in a 5-1 loss at home to Augsburg College. The home crowd had little to cheer about as the Royals fell behind 3-0 after two periods and the Auggies added two more scores in the third period following the Royals lone goal.

JT Walters scored Bethel's goal off assists from Travis Payne and Michael Chuinard at 1:18 in the third period. The goal gave Bethel energy and the Royals had several good chances in the first half of the third period looking to get back into the game. Augsburg goalie John Bretzman was solid for the Auggies however and kept the Royals from scoring again. Bretzman made 17 saves on the night and Augsburg successfully killed off five Bethel power plays. The Auggies conversely, scored twice in four tries on the power play.

The loss drops Bethel, who received votes in this weeks USCHO.com Top 15 poll, to 2-1 on the season and 0-1 in MIAC play. The Auggies are also now 2-1 overall but 1-0 in the MIAC. Bethel will now travel to Augsburg Saturday night to try and split the series on the Auggies home ice. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. from Ed Saugestad Rink on the campus of Augsburg.