MEQUON, Wis. – The Bethel University men's hockey team dropped the opening game of the third annual Thanksgiving Cup series with the Concordia University-Wisconsin Falcons by a 3-2 scope. The Falcons scored three unanswered goals in the first and second period to take the victory on their home ice.

George Splichal scored the first goal of the game to give Bethel an early 1-0 lead, just 4:32 into the game. Peter Barral assisted Splichal on his third goal of the season. The Falcons tied the game up five minuted later and added a second goal just 2:40 later at 11:55 to take the lead. The second period featured just one goal as the Falcons capitalized on a power play to take a 3-1 lead at 6:42. For the game, both teams had four power plays but the Falcons scored the lone power play goal. Bethel put a scare into the Falcons with a late goal by Travis Payne with 1:23 remaining in the game to pull within one at 3-. Eric Szafranski and Mitch Hughes assisted Payne on his third goal of the year. Payne's goal, unfortunately, would be the last of the game however, as CUW held onto the 3-2 win.

The two teams will faceoff once again Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in what will be the Royals final game of 2015.