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Interactive Playoff BracketBLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's hockey team could not make an early 2-1 lead stand up as No. 6 ranked Gustavus Adolphus College scored four unanswered goals in the regular season finale to win 5-2. The MIAC regular season champion Gusties scored three times in the last nine minutes of the second period to take control of the game and tacked on one more in the third. The loss dropped Bethel to fifth place in the standings as they will now travel to Saint Mary's University for the opening round of the MIAC playoffs on Thursday.
Gustavus scored their first goal of the game at 3:28 into the first on a power play. Bethel responded with a power play goal of their own three minutes later as
Kalie Johnson was able to flip one in with the assist to
Kathryn Larson. For Larson, the point gave her a share of the MIAC scoring title with 30 points. Larson led the league in goals with 19, five more than Tara Baago from St. Thomas who she shared the scoring lead with.
Bethel then took the lead with an
Erin Harper goal off an assist from
Caroline Kivisto at 8:27 in the first period. In the first ten minutes of the second period the Royals created multiple great chances but were just unable to get another score. Following a timeout by Gustavus, the Gusties scored three goals in a five minute and 24 second span. Despite Gustavus late charge in the second period, Bethel still outshot the Gusties 13-9 in the period. Gustavus scored the only goal of the third period to make the final 5-2. Bethel outshot GAC for the game 30-26 as the two teams had an even number of shots in the first and third period. Each team scored one power play goal with Bethel getting seven opportunities and Gustavus five.
Bethel will now turn their attention to the MIAC playoffs and the Saint Mary's Cardinals. Bethel will to travel to Winona to take on SMU on Thursday night. A victory there would send the Royals back to St. Peter to take on Gustavus on Saturday.
