The Bethel University women's hockey team skated to a pair of ties with the St. Catherine University Wildcats with both games finishing in identical 2-2 scores. In Friday's contest it was the Wildcats scoring last (midway through the second period) to get the tie and on Saturday the Royals scored with less than a minute remaining in the game to avoid what would have been a disastrous loss. The two points Bethel picked up in the MIAC standings keeps them two points ahead of both St. Kate's and Saint Mary's and in fifth place with the top five teams making the MIAC Playoffs.
Friday
The Royals and Wildcats began this critical MIAC series with a tie on Friday night, 2-2. It was the first tie of the season for both teams. The first two periods saw each team score once each but the final 9:24 of the second along with the entire third period and five minute overtime was scoreless as neither team could find the game winner.
Grace Halvorson got the Royals on the board first with a goal just 1:07 into the game with an assist from
Payton Olson. The Wildcats scored to answer at 8:32 in the first. The second period saw Bethel take the lead again when
Bri Stafne scored her team leading 10th goal of the season at 8:04.
Emily Roder and
Bailey Thompson assisted Stafne. The Wildcats took advantage of a power play just two and a half minutes later though to tie the game back up, where it would stay. The third period and overtime saw the Royals spend over six and a half minutes in the penalty box, limiting their opportunities to get that game winner. The Royals outshot the Wildcats 35-27.
Mallory Tidona made 25 saves in net, including four in the overtime period.
Saturday
Saturday's scoring pattern was the opposite of Friday with SCU scoring first and the Royals answering each time. The Wildcats scored just over seven minutes into the first. Grace Halvorsen scored for Bethel at 1:20 into the second period with assists from
Sydnee Hanson and
Courtney Johnston. A power play goal put the Wildcats back on top at 6:18 in the third and things were not looking good for the Royals as they went to the penalty box two more times after the Wildcats took the lead. Just after pulling goalie
Mallory Tidona for an extra skater the Royals efforts paid off however when
Bailey Thompson knocked a blocked shot deflection into the top corner of the net with just 53 seconds remaining in regulation.
Sydnee Hanson had the assist. Thompson got another good look before the clock ran out and the Royals were able to get more chances in the overtime, outshooting SCU 5-0 in the extra five minutes, but were unable to get a game winner. Bethel held a 31-26 advantage in shots thanks to the late flurry. Tidona made 24 saves in the game for the Royals.
Bethel will now turn their attention to the regular season closing series with first place and No. 5-ranked Gustavus. The Royals hold a two point lead for the final MIAC playoff spot ahead of both Saint Mary's and St. Kate's. Saint Mary's swept winless St. Olaf to get themselves in striking distance and will play Saint Benedict (5-10 MIAC) next weekend. St. Kate's takes on second place and No. 6-ranked Hamline. The Royals now sit at 6-8-2 in the MIAC and 8-13-2 overall.
