By: Ryan Klinkner
Box Score
BLAINE, Minn. - Saint John's fell to Bethel 4-2 on Friday, Nov. 21 in Blaine.
The Royals jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period for the second consecutive night with power-play goals from Eric Adams (5:26) and Kent Bostrom (10:19).
Freshman forward Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) cut the deficit to 2-1 with a power-play goal, his first career goal, 2:17 into the second period. Junior forward Dylan Decker (Park City, Utah) and sophomore defenseman Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play for SJU.
The Royals' Brent Peterson increased the BU lead to 3-1 with another power-play with less than two minutes remaining in the second frame.
Senior forward Jake Hipp (Bismarck, N.D.) tallied his fifth goal of the season, on the power play, with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. He was assisted on the play by senior forwards Clayton Rehm (Park Rapids, Minn.) and Pat Connelly (Birchwood, Minn.).
Bethel answered with an empty-net goal by Chris Fiala 20 seconds later.
Freshman goaltender Steele DeFazio (Toronto, Ontario) made 22 saves in the loss, as SJU outshot the Royals 32-26 in the game.
The Johnnies (1-7, 0-4 MIAC) return to action Friday, Dec. 5 as they play host to St. Thomas for a 7 p.m. opening faceoff at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.