NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team put together a strong start combined with an even stronger finish to pull out their first MIAC victory, 5-3 on the road over St. Olaf College. The Royals got a goal late in the third period from George Splichal, the fourth consecutive game Splichal has scored a clutch goal late in the third, and this time Bethel made it hold up as they tacked on another empty netter with seven seconds remaining.

Bethel got on the board first with a score from Taylor Brown at 7:25 in the first period with assists from Tyler Mros and Crosby Steen. St. Olaf responded two minutes later with a power play goal to tie it up at 1-1. The Oles then took a lead at 2-1 but their lead was very brief as just 26 seconds later Andrew Bjorklund tied the game back up for Bethel at 15:18 in the first. Dylan Webster and Steen assisted Bjorklund's score. The second period was scoreless until the final seconds when Peter Barral gave the Royals the lead with a power play score with just 14 seconds remaining. Justin Bonanno and Jeff Flicker tallied the assists. The Oles responded immediately out of the gate to start the third period though as they scored another power play goal just 35 seconds into the final frame. The game would stay 3-3 until Splichal's goal gave the Royals the lead for good at 15:51. For Splichal, the third period goal has become routine as the Royals have played tight MIAC contests over the last three weekends. In Bethel's 5-4 loss two weeks ago to Saint John's Splichal tied the game at 4-4 with just 4:34 remaining in the game but SJU was able to score after that to take the victory. The next weekend against Hamline, Splichal brought the Royals within one score with just over five minutes remaining but the Pipers tacked on an empty netter for the 5-3 win. The next night, Splichal did it again, this time giving the Royals the lead midway through the third period but Hamline was able to score late to tie the game and it finished 5-5. The Royals made Friday nights score for Splichal a game winner by keeping the Oles off the board and Peter Barral scored an empty net goal with seven seconds remaining for the 5-3 final.

Jesse Garcia made 28 saves in net for Bethel to record his first win of the year. The five goals scored by the Royals was the third time this year Bethel has scored five or more, resulting in a 2-0-1 record in those three games. The Royals and Oles will resume their series Saturday night in Bethel University Arena at 7 p.m.