ST. PETER, Minn - The Bethel University men's hockey team was defeated Friday night at Don Roberts Arena on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College by a score of 5-2.  The Gusties take game one of the weekend series, with game two occurring Saturday night at 7pmat Bethel University Arena in Blaine.

The Royals struck first when Taylor Brown found a loose puck out in front of the net, finding twine for his second goal of the season, giving the Royals 1-0 lead at 6:08 into the first period.  Eric Szafranski was credited with the assist.  The Royals lead didn't last long.  The Golden Gusties went on to score three unanswered goals.    At the 9:11 mark, with traffic in front of goaltender Matt Rowe, Evan Erickson found the back of the net tying the game up at 1-1.  Darren Lapic was awarded the assist.  The Gusties took a 2-1 lead 36 seconds into the second period with a goal from Drew Aspinwal.  Lapic and Tim Donohue both received assists.  After a late second period goal from Van Sullivan, then Gusites went into the second intermission with a 3-1 lead over the Royals.  The Royals brought it within one when freshman Dallas Marvin snuck one past for his fourth goal of the season. Blake Peavey earned his second assist of the year.  From then on it was all Gustavus.  With two late third period goals from Colin Hernon and Sullivan, his second of the night, the Golden Gusties took a commanding lead and game one of the weekend series.  The Royals were outshot 50-19 on the night.    

Bethel drops to 2-18-2 on the season heading into their final home game of the 2015-16 season at Bethel University Arena Saturday night at 7pm for Senior night.  Bethel's seven seniors #3 Tony Larson, #12 Travis Payne, #15 Josh Freitas, #16 TJ Christensen, #19 Eric Szafranski, #27 Mitch Hughes and #35 Matt Rowe will all be honored following the completion of the game.