ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team was bested in its MIAC opener Friday evening at Saint John's, 8-2. The Johnnies used a four-goal first period to set the tone and skate away with a series opening win.

The two teams close out the home-and-home series tomorrow night at Bethel University Arena in Blaine. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

Bethel was able to keep SJU off the board until the 8:46 mark in the first period. The Johnnies rattled off three even strength goals after that while only tallying eight shots in the first 20 minutes. Bethel had three power plays midway to late in the first but only got off two shots during that time.

SJU started out the second with a power play goal 1:13 in the period before scoring again on the power play 50 seconds later.

Bethel denied the Johnnies a shutout as freshman Blake Nelson scored his first collegiate goal 5:48 into the period. On the power play late, Nelson captured a multi-goal effort picking assists from freshman Sam Wilhite and junior Jordon Stone.

Playing in a majority of the second and third period between the pipes, Joe Sheppard picked up nine saves in the final period while allowing two to get past him.