BLAINE, Minn. – For the first time since 1989, the Bethel University men's hockey team picked defeated the St. Norbert, who received votes in the preseason USCHO.com poll. Bethel snapped a 12-game losing skid to the five-time national champion Green Knights taking a 2-1 victory on home ice and moving to 2-0 to star the year.
Defenseman
Dane Stoyanoff had his hand in both of the Royals goals, scoring the first and assisting the second on the power play.
How It Happened:
• Stoyanoff set things in motion with a slapshot goal off of a pass from
Sam Wilhite 2:27 into the game.
Ben Doherty picked up the second assist.
• St. Norbert quickly responded, scoring on a power play just a minute later and evening the score.
• A string of penalties on the Royals put them at a disadvantage several times throughout the second as they faced a 5-on-3 in the opening minutes of the period, but the team managed to come out unscathed. BU finished the night 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
• The score remained even at one and the tension grew until
Joe Westlund tipped in a rebound off of Stoyanoff's shot, setting the Royals ahead for good with just over six minutes left in the second.
• Though St. Norbert tallied 10 shots on frame in the third period, they were unable to capitalize as goalie
Austin Ryman made several critical saves including one with 14 seconds left to go.
• The Green Knights put up a threatening 53 shots, 31 on frame, throughout the game, but Ryman made an impressive showing in the net, earning himself 30 saves and securing the win for the team.
What's Next:
The Royals will take to their home ice at the Blaine Super Rink again next Friday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. when they host the St. Olaf Oles in their MIAC opener.
