Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn.—Bethel University's men's hockey team saw its postseason hopes dashed Thursday night, as the Royals dropped a tough road loss to Saint John's University at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. The defeat drops BU to 3-17-2 on the season with a 2-10-1 record against MIAC opponents.
 
Bethel's defense struggled throughout the night, allowing SJU 54 shots on net. This allowed the Johnnies to tally five goals, including two each in the first two periods and one in the third. The Royals mustered 29 total shot attempts, counting 11 in the second and third period each.
 
Despite allowing five goals, BU goalkeeper Steven Bolton stopped a season-high 49 shots—improving his MIAC lead for total saves this season (586). 
 
Travis Payne cut the Saint John's lead to three goals 4:16 into the final period, but SJU boosted its lead back to four and killed any thought of a BU comeback with its fifth and final goal 1:39 later. Payne's goal, which was assisted by both Mitch Hughes and Brock Raffaele, was his team-leading 10th goal and 19th point of the season. Payne and Raffaele are tied with the most points on Bethel's squad with 19.
 
The Royals will host Saint John's at home Saturday night in Blaine for the series finale before finishing their season with a home-and-home series against Gustavus the following weekend on Friday and Saturday evening. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. Saturday night.