BLAINE, Minn. - The Bethel University women's hockey team finished off a MIAC series sweep with a 3-0 shutout of the Saint Benedict Bennies at Bethel University Arena. The Royals scored twice in the first period and once in the second and Mallory Tidona made 26 saves in goal for Bethel. Tidona has three starts in net for the Royals on the season, all three Bethel wins and two shutouts while allowing just one goal and making 82 saves.

Bethel got on the board first with a power play goal by Kennedi Mitchell at 5:51 in the first period. Makenzie Baker and Bailey Thompson assisted on Mitchell's goal, the second in the series for Mitchell. Junior Cali Pearcy gave the Royals a 2-0 lead late in the second period with a goal off assists from Emma Ness and Elle Krellwitz. Bethel's final score came from Bri Stafne at 12:06 in the second period. Thompson and Pearcy assisted on the goal. The goal is the second on the season for Stafne, the Royals leading scorer in 2018-19.   

The Royals committed just two penalties in the game and were able kill both Bennies power plays. Bethel was 1-5 on their power plays with nine shots. The Royals outshot CSB 33-26. Tidona made 11 saves in the second period and 10 more in the third. 

Bethel improves to 3-2 on the season and 2-0 in the MIAC while Saint Ben's falls to 1-2 and 0-2. The Royals will host (RV) St. Thomas next Friday night in another key MIAC series. Puck drop from Bethel University will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights.