NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Facing a win-and-in scenario with their season on the line, Bethel Women's Hockey delivered in the biggest moment of its year.
The Royals scored three times in the third period, including the game-winning goal in the final seconds, to defeat St. Olaf 3-2 Saturday afternoon at St. Olaf Ice Arena and officially secure their spot in the MIAC Playoffs. After two scoreless periods, Bethel found itself trailing early in the third period and facing the possibility of its season coming to an end. Instead, the Royals answered immediately.
Freshman Amelia McQuay tied the game just 1:31 into the third period, finishing a setup from Maddi O'Connor to even the score at 1-1 and spark the Bethel bench.
St. Olaf regained the lead midway through the period, once again putting Bethel's postseason hopes in jeopardy. With time slipping away, the Royals turned to their veteran leadership.
Graduate Kallie Tibbetts (Abrahamson) delivered in the critical moment, scoring a power-play goal at the 12:23 mark off assists from Siri Olson and Afton Hulke to tie the game at 2-2 and keep Bethel's season alive.
As overtime loomed and the seconds ticked away, Tibbetts (Abrahamson) came through again. With just 20 seconds remaining in regulation, she scored the go-ahead goal to give Bethel its first lead of the game and complete the dramatic comeback victory. Her second goal of the night proved to be the difference, sending the Royals to the postseason.
Senior goaltender Gustafson (Hess) played a key role in the win, stopping 24 shots and keeping Bethel within reach until the offense broke through in the third period. The final horn sparked celebration from the Royals, who completed the weekend sweep of St. Olaf and secured their postseason opportunity.
With the win, Bethel finished the regular season 14-9-2 overall and 8-8-2 in conference play, earning the No. 5 seed in the MIAC tournament field. The Royals will travel to No. 4 seed Gustavus for a quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in St. Peter. The winner will advance to face regular-season champion Augsburg in the semifinals.
The Royals now turn their focus to Gustavus, a team they will face for the third time this season in Wednesday's MIAC quarterfinal in St. Peter. The Gusties claimed five of six possible points in the regular-season series, defeating Bethel 1-0 and 3-2 in overtime during their late-January meetings. Despite those results, Bethel enters the postseason playing its best hockey of the year, riding a six-game winning streak that ties the longest win streak in program history and reflects the momentum the Royals have built at the most important time of the season.
