BLAINE, Minn. – Tyler Braccini's goal with 1.9 seconds left in overtime lifted the Bethel University men's hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Saint John's Friday evening inside Bethel University Arena.
Following a pair of saves from
Austin Ryman just a few seconds earlier,
Spencer Kring collected the puck in open ice and entered the zone with five seconds left before passing it off from the left circle to Braccini who was right at the top of the crease. Braccini did the rest of the work on the netminder's glove side lighting up the lamp with the tap in.
The Royals, who take five of six points in the series, improve to 5-5-1 on the year and 3-1-0 in MIAC play.
BU went up 2-0 with goals from
Matt Berezowski and
Joe Kelly. Berezowski tallied his first collegiate goal going top shelf after a nice feed from Braden Bartoo who collected the puck on a SJU turnover in the neutral zone. Kelly's first goal of the season came just over five minutes later.
The Johnnies cut the lead to one scoring with five seconds left in the first as they tapped in a rebound shot right off the pad of Ryman.
After a scoreless second, Saint John's evened it up 4:37 into the period. Despite holding a 13-8 shots on goal edge, BU couldn't find the go-ahead goal forcing the 3-on-3, five-minute overtime.
Ryman finished with 23 saves while Bethel held a 45-25 shots on goal edge for the contest.
The Royals hit the month-long winter break and return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 4 at Northland. Puck drop is set for 5 p.m.
