BLAINE, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team suffered its first loss of the MIAC season dropping the series finale to Saint John's at home, 5-1.  The Royals and Johnnies split the season series after Bethel came away with a dramatic 1-0 overtime win in St. Cloud back on November 10.
 
Freshman Jack Bayless was Bethel's lone scorer cutting the Royals deficit to a goal just 27 seconds before the second intermission with his first collegiate goal. Blake Nelson picked up the lone assist on the play.
 
The Johnnies jumped out to a two-goal lead scoring at the 2:26 mark in the first and 6:07 mark in the second. SJU used a three-goal third, which included an empty net goal, to pull away from the Royals.
 
Bethel's top five nationally ranked penalty kill fended off three SJU man advantages while going 0-for-3 themselves on the power play.
 
Netminder Ridge Gerads tallied 34 saves.
 
Now 6-2-1 on the year and 2-1-1 in MIAC play, the Royals step off the ice to enjoy the Thanksgiving break before returning Friday, Dec. 10 hosting St. Olaf at 7 p.m.