BLAINE, Minn. – Those fans that ventured out to the Bethel University Arena Friday night despite the first winter storm of the season were treated to a riveting MIAC hockey game which saw the Bethel Royals take a shootout victory after a 1-1 tie. In a very evenly played, back and forth thriller that saw both goals scored late in the third period, the Royals were able to come out on top in the shootout to grab an extra point in the MIAC standings. Andrew Bjorklund was able to save the Royals from defeat with a score using an extra skater with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation. In the shootout George Splichal and Justin Bonanno scored for Bethel while goalie Joe Sheppard stopped a pair of UST attempts to give the Royals the 2-1 shootout victory.

Neither team could break through with a score in the first two periods with Bethel outshooting UST in the first and the Tommies outshooting the Royals in the second, as they were even at 19-19 through two periods. Ironically the third period shot totals were even up at 10 each and both teams getting one score. Just when it looked like the Royals were going to be the first to get on the board as they created a 5-on-3 power play with 8:19 remaining in the game, the Tommies turned the tide getting a goal after a turnover and breakaway just seconds into the 5-on-3. The shorthanded goal energized UST as they were then able to continue to fend off the Bethel power play. Bethel was awarded another power play down the stretch as UST was whistled for too many men on the ice for the second time in the game but again the Tommies denied the Royals, despite some good chances. With 1:19 remaining in the third period Bethel pulled Sheppard to add the extra skater and the Royals capitalized as Andrew Bjorklund was able to knock one in after a scrum in front of the net after a pair of Bethel shots with just 30 seconds left. George Splichal and Justin Bonanno got the assists on the score.

The overtime period started with a great chance for Bethel on a near miss by Dallas Marvin as his shot was just barely wide. The Royals were then whistled for a too many players on the ice penalty at 2:18. Bethel outshot the Tommies 2-1 despite being shorthanded over the next two minutes and successfully killed off the penalty for the fifth time. UST was 0-5 on the power play while Bethel was 0-6 and allowed the 5-on-3 goal to the Tommies. UST was able to fire two shots on goal in the last 45 seconds but Sheppard was again on point and the game ended in a tie. Sheppard finished the night with 33 saves, allowing just the one breakaway goal.

The battle for the extra point in the MIAC standings began with George Splichal setting the tone for the Royals as he put a great move on the Tommie goalie and scored to give Bethel the 1-0 lead. Sheppard then stuffed a Brett Gravelle attempt on the Tommies first try. Jackson Purvis was the next Royal shooter but his shot went high. UST tied it up with a score but Justin Bonanno gave the lead back to the Royals with an impressive score on his shot. Sheppard then stoned the Tommies third shot and the Royals took the 2-1 shootout win.

The tie and shootout victory gives Bethel two points in the MIAC standings as they are now 0-2-1 in the MIAC and 1-5-1 overall. St. Thomas stands at 3-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the MIAC. The two teams will faceoff again Saturday night at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minnesota at 7 p.m.