BLAINE, Minn. – Freshman
Braeden Bartoo's overtime power-play goal sealed a 3-2 comeback victory for the Bethel University men's hockey team Friday evening over Hamline.
Bethel (11-6-1, 4-4-1 MIAC) put up three unanswered over the final 14 minutes taking the series opener from the Pipers. Both teams close it out at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
With 2:21 remaining in the 3-on-3 overtime, BU went on the man advantage as the Pipers were whistled for tripping. Out of a Royals' timeout, Bartoo won the faceoff in the zone as it went right to
Dane Stoyanoff inside the blue line.
A pass back to Bartoo allowed him to fire off a wrister from the left faceoff circle for his second game-winner of the season. The goal capped off a three-point night for Maple Grove, Minn. native after picking up assists on BU's other two goals.
A scoreless opening two periods built the anticipation up for an active third period and that's exactly what the fans got.
Hamline (3-11-2, 1-6-0 MIAC) went up 2-0 with goals 48 seconds apart early in the third. The Royals got one of those back as junior defenseman
Jacob Papesh got his first collegiate goal 7:15 into the period.
The comeback continued while BU was on its third power play of the night. Tape-to-tape passing by Bartoo and
Andrew Revering allowed
Jack Bayless to net the game-tying goal with a one-timer from the right faceoff circle.
Netminder
Ridge Gerads had to make one more big-time save as the Pipers fired off a shot on target with under 10 seconds remaining in the third. With an additional three saves in the overtime period, Gerads finished the night with 32 stops.
