ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Finishing 5-6-2 in MIAC play with a point percentage of .436, the Bethel University women's hockey team earned the No. 7 seed in the MIAC Playoffs which includes all 10 teams this year due to COVID-19 effects throughout the season. The Royals are set to host No. 10 seed St. Olaf on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Bethel University Arena at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
The winner of Wednesday's game advances to the quarterfinals taking on No. 2 seed Hamline in St. Paul at 7 p.m.
| 2021-22 WOMEN'S HOCKEY MIAC PLAYOFF SCHEDULE |
| First Round | Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 |
Quarterfinals | Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 |
Semifinals | Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 |
Championship | Saturday, Mar. 5, 2022 |
No. 9 St. Catherine at No. 8 Concordia | 5:00 PM
No. 10 St. Olaf at No. 7 Bethel | 7:00 PM |
No. 8/9 at No. 1 Gustavus | 2:00 PM
No. 6 Saint Benedict at No. 3 Saint Mary's | 2:00 PM
No. 5 Augsburg at No. 4 St. Scholastica | 3:00 PM
No. 7/10 at No. 2 Hamline | 7:00 PM |
High-seed host | 7:00 PM
High-seed host | 7:00 PM |
High-seed host | TBA |
| TICKET PRICES |
Bethel's Ticket Pricing for Wednesday |
| Ticket prices for this year's tournament will be determined by the host institution. |
Adults: $6
Students/Children: $4
Bethel students, staff, faculty with ID: FREE
Children 5 and under: FREE |
SERIES HISTORY
The Royals are riding a seven game non-losing streak against the Oles with the last loss coming during the 2017-18 season. St. Olaf has scored more than one goal against the Royals just once in that stretch, a 4-4 tie in 2019. BU shut the Oles out in both meetings this year winning the first at home 2-0 before taking the road contest in Northfield 1-0 back on January 21/22. Overall, Bethel boasts a 23-17-4 all-time record against St. Olaf dating back to the first matchup on February 6, 2001 where BU won 12-2. The Royals however are just 10-11-1 at home against the Oles and 13-6-3 on the road.
MIAC PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Royals are making their ninth appearance in the MIAC Playoffs in head coach Brian Carlson's 12 seasons on the bench. and 12th overall. BU has the fifth most playoff appearances in MIAC history. They hold a 7-10 (.412) record in 17 games while making the championship game three times in 2011, 2015 and 2016. Against St. Olaf in the MIAC Playoffs, Bethel is 1-0. The lone matchup was a thrilling 5-4 overtime win in Northfield against the Oles in 2011-12 when Biz Huss netted a hat trick and Molly Eagles scored the OT game winner.
SHUTOUTS
The Royals and senior goalie Mallory Tidona have posted four shutouts this season, including both games against St. Olaf. For her career Tidona has not allowed a single goal eight times.
THE TIDONA FILE
Senior goalie Mallory Tidona has made the most saves in the MIAC this season with 503 to go along with the third best save percentage at .930.
PLAYING IT CLOSE
Each of the Royals last seven games have been a tie or a one goal decision. BU holds a 2-3-2 record in those games. The two wins however came against the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the MIAC, Hamline and Saint Mary's. The Royals gave the Pipers one of their five losses with a 2-1 win and handed Saint Mary's a loss with a 4-3 victory last Friday night. In all, 11 of the Royals 19 games this season have been one goal difference or tie games.
