BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team once again came out strong from the start, jumping out to a 3-0 first period lead and went on to defeat the University of Wisconsin-Superior 6-2. Travis Payne scored the first three Bethel goals and added another in the third period, making that six for the week for Payne, with five of the six scored in the first period.

Payne's first score came at 8:58 in the first period with an assist from Nick Eytcheson. The next two goals by Payne were both on the power play with Eytcheson and Dallas Marvin assisting on the first and Eric Szafranski on the second. The Royals would add to their lead to begin the second period as Justin Bonanno scored to make it 4-0. Eytcheson picked up his third assist along with TJ Christensen. UW-Superior was finally able to get on the board at 7:17 in the second as they scored a power play goal. Bethel wasted little time responding, however, as George Splichal was able to grab a Eytcheson cross that was deflected by a defender and threw it in to put Bethel up 5-1. It was the fourth assist of the night for Eytcheson and Mitch Hughes picked up his first. The Yellowjackets picked up their final goal at 15:53 in the second to draw within 5-2 but that would be as close to the Royals as they would get. Payne put the finishing touches on his, and the Royals, big night as he scored his fourth goal midway through the third period with assists by Dylan Webster and Marvin.

Jesse Garcia made 33 saves for Bethel to pick up his second win. In the two games this weekend against UW-River Falls and UW-Superior Garcia was outstanding, giving up just two goals and making 33 saves in each game. Bethel converted on both of their power play opportunities as did UW-Superior in their only power play in a cleanly played game.

The win improves Bethel to 2-10-2 overall, picking up a win and a tie on the weekend against No. 13-ranked UW-River Falls and UW-Superior. The Yellowjackets, who defeated Gustavus 2-1 Friday night in St. Peter, Minnesota, fall to 5-11-2 overall. Bethel will return to MIAC action next weekend with a matchup with the Saint John's University Johnnies. The Royals travel to St. Cloud, Minnesota for a Thursday night affair with the Johnnies before hosting SJU at Bethel University Arena on Saturday night.