BLAINE, Minn. – A strong power play presence aided the Bethel University men's hockey team to earn their first win of the season as well as the first career win for head coach Chris McKelvie, defeating Gustavus Adolphus 5-4 Friday evening at Bethel University Arena.

The Royals used two power play goals on six attempts, after entering the contest with one power play goal in 10 games, to move their record to 1-9-1 overall and 1-3-1 in MIAC play. Bethel closes out the home and home series with Gustavus tomorrow on the road at 7 p.m.

"We played really good and showed a lot of character," said McKelvie. "It wasn't easy but credit to them they really stepped up. Our credit has to go to the power play, it has been struggling quite a bit and they stepped up and had two goals which is a huge credit to the guys on the power play but also the assistant coaches.

Curtis Hanson got the scoring going putting the Royals on the board 4:34 into the first with Will Reedy picking up his first of a two assist night. Gustavus found the equalizer just a little over three minutes later, but that did not deter the Royals as Nick Ketola scored with 37.3 remaining in the period to give Bethel a 2-1 lead headed into the first intermission.

The Royals took advantage of a strong second period where they spent 10 minutes on the power play. BU started the period on the power play but were not successful in scoring and instead did their work on the penalty kill. Dallas Marvin put in a shorthanded goal 13:10 into the period before Michael Piehler, with just under a minute left, gave the Royals a three-goal lead with assists from Reedy and Tyler Rock.

Gustavus scored the game's next two goals with one just before the second intermission. The Royal lead was cut down to one when Jared Bromberg made it 4-3 just 3:28 into the final period.

Looking to push the lead back to two, Josiah Roen was able to make it 5-3 with just over 12 minutes to go in regulation. Dallas Marvin and Colton Schmidt picked up assists on the play.

The Gusties chipped in one more before the Royals fittingly finished out the game on the penalty kill where they went 3-for-3 on the night.