BLAINE, Minn. –– Bethel men's hockey showed a lot of fight on Saturday night against Saint John's, the current MIAC leader, but an empty-net goal in the final seconds made the difference in a 4–6 game. The Royals outshot Saint John's 40–29 and pushed the pace all night.

Bethel struck first at 9:59 of the opening period when senior Tyler Braccini finished a hard net drive off a feed from senior Spencer Kring, giving the Royals an early lead. A few minutes later sophomore Connor Brazil, for his first of the season, finished off a tidy sequence created by senior Shane Lavelle and freshman Ethan Hull to make it 2–1 heading into the first intermission.

Saint John's responded with a three-goal surge in the second, but Bethel answered back. On the power play at 12:55, sophomore Chase Beacom hammered home a one-timer off passes from senior Tyler Kostelecky and freshman Peyton Blair, cutting the deficit and swinging momentum back toward the Royals.

Bethel kept pressing in the third, continuing to win battles and send pucks to the net. With under three minutes left and on the power play, Kring jumped into the play and scored his first goal of the season at 17:18 to make it 4–5. Bethel pulled the goalie and created pressure, but an SJU empty-net goal in the final seconds sealed the outcome.

Even in the loss, Bethel showed the toughness that defines this roster: veterans stepping up, younger players proving they belong, and a willingness to compete hard in every zone. The Royals will look to build on the heavy shot total and compete level when they return to play next weekend.

Next up: Bethel will face Milwaukee School of Engineering on Friday, December 12, 2025 — 3:00 p.m. at Bethel University Arena.