ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's hockey team got back in the win column with a 4-1 series-opening victory at Saint John's Thursday evening.
It didn't take long for the Royals to light up the lamp with
Tyler Braccini doing so 1:33 into the contest. Saint John's evened it up just under four minutes later and eventually sending the teams went into the first break knotted at one apiece.
Jack Brown put the Royals in front with 11:09 left in the second. Braccini sent it into the zone along the boards and shot off to Brown who was straightened with net on the SJU netminder's stick side. Brown looked to be centering the puck, but instead, hit of the back of the goalie and scooted across the line.
Max Hamstad gave Bethel the 3-1 advantage heading into the second intermission. Hamstad scored with 1:08 left as
Jeremiah Konkel gave up the puck during a quick 2-on-1 breakaway.
Shane Lavelle added an insurance goal with 5:07 left in the third. A nice pass from Luke Lindsey across ice found Lavelle who was right at the doorstep of the net for the tap in.
Austin Ryman was solid in net with a season-high 36 saves and pitching a shutout in the final 55 minutes of play.
Both teams went 0-for-1 on the power play while the Johnnies held a slight edge in shots on goal, 37-34.
UP NEXT
The two teams meet up again Friday night in Blaine at the Super Rink for the series final inside Rink No. 5. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
