BLAINE, Minn. - After an evenly played back-and-forth first period that saw the Bethel Royals and Saint Mary's Cardinals tied at 2-2, Saint Mary's scored eight unanswered goals to take a 10-2 victory. George Splichal scored a pair of goals for the Royals sandwiched around back-to-back goals from the Cardinals in the first period. Both teams got off 13 shots in the opening frame but from there it was all Saint Mary's. SMU scored four times on the power play throughout the night and added a short handed goal as well.

Heading into the second period at 2-2, the Cardinals were able to get their first power play goal at the 12:45 mark. They added another score to go up 4-2 at 15:30. The Royals still had chances to get back within a score but the Cardinals delivered a brutal blow to the Royals hopes with two goals in the last nine seconds of the period to take a commanding 6-2 lead. SMU scored four more times throughout the penalty infested third period, including the tenth and final goal with just one second remaining in the game. A total of 14 penalties were called on the two teams in the third period alone.

The loss drops Bethel to 0-4-1 on the year and 0-1 in MIAC play while Saint Mary's improves to 2-2-1 and 1-0. Bethel and Saint Mary's will take to the ice again Saturday night from the Saint Mary's Ice Arena in Winona, Minnesota at 7 p.m.