The Saint John's hockey team (2-1-1, 0-0-0 MIAC) begins MIAC play this Friday, Nov. 13, at Bethel. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Bethel University Arena (National Sports Center) in Blaine (Directions | Listen Live | Live Stats | Watch Live). The Johnnies then return home to host the Royals at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud (Directions | Listen Live | Live Stats).
Preview Video:
-Head Coach Doug Schueller (3:12)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's went 1-1 in the Duluth area last weekend by upsetting No. 13 St. Scholastica 3-1 on Friday before suffering its first loss of the season, 6-3 at No. 4 Wis.-Superior on Saturday. Freshman forward Jascha Pettit (Wadena, Minn.) tallied two goals and sophomore goaltender Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 52 saves in his first career start in the victory. After the Saints took an early 1-0 lead 2:41 into the game, Pettit tied the game with his first career goal less than three minutes later (5:29). Following a scoreless second period, in which the Saints outshot the Johnnies 23-2, SJU inherited a five-minute power play thanks to a checking-from-behind penalty on CSS' Colin Trachsel. Pettit tallied the game-winner during that power play with 1:19 left in regulation. Freshman Michael #Palmiscno# (East Grand Forks, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play for SJU. Junior forward Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.) then put the game away with an unassisted, empty-net goal at the 19:40 mark of the third period. Civello's 52 saves were the most since Vince Wheeler tallied 44 against Wis.-River Falls last season, and was four shy of the school record of 56 (Craig Hidde vs. St. Thomas, 1990). Wis.-Superior jumped out to a 4-0 first-period lead before the Johnnies cut the deficit in half with two second-period goals. Palmiscno scored his first career goal at the 13:20 mark of the second frame with assists going to senior Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.) and junior Alex Lindeberg (Forest Lake, Minn.). Pettit (Wadena, Minn.) found the back of the net for the third time in two games less than three minutes later on the power play. Lindeberg and Palmiscno assisted on the scoring play for SJU. Superior then responded with a goal 9:29 into the third period, before junior Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) cut the deficit back to two with a power-play goal at the 15:03 mark. Wallgren and sophomore Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) recorded assists on the play. The Yellowjackets' Chris Wilson netted an empty-net goal with 1:25 remaining to end the scoring. Senior Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) made 10 saves in the first period before being relieved by Civello, who made 13 saves in the game's final 40 minutes. SJU was two of eight on the power play, while the Yellowjackets were 2-for-4. Superior held a 29-22 advantage in shots, including a 14-5 showing in the four-goal first period.
A LOOK AT BETHEL: The Royals (0-4-0, 0-0-0 MIAC),though winless, have recorded two one-goal losses so far this season. BU opened its 2009-10 season with a 4-0 loss to Augsburg and a 4-3 loss to Gustavus at the MIAC Showcase two weeks ago. Last weekend, the Royals dropped an 8-2 decision to nationally-ranked St. Norbert (Wis.) and a 5-4 loss to Wis.-Stevens Point, both on the road. Bethel is relying on a young team this season, but returns its two-time All-MIAC goalie, senior Aaron Damjanovich. He currently has a 4.35 GAA with 80 saves and a .860 save percentage. Sophomore Chris Fiala (3g/1a) currently leads the Royals offensively, followed by freshman Jon Crouse (1g/2a), senior Christian Fogarty (1g/2a) and freshman Jack Paul (0g/3a).
THE LAST MEETING: The Royals swept the season series (4-2, 4-3) for the first time since the 1987-88 season last winter. The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 20, 2008, in St. Cloud, where the Johnnies fell 4-3. SJU outplayed Bethel in nearly every statistical category except for the scoreboard as the visiting Royals handed the Johnnies their fifth one-goal loss of the season. SJU outshot the Royals 37-23 and won the faceoff battle 48-27 in the game. Bethel jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals 1:41 apart in the first period by Kyle Dynan and Spencer Menk. Senior forward Dylan Decker (Park City, Utah) cut the deficit to 2-1 with his first goal of the season on the power play 11:27 into the first period. The Johnnies tied the game at 2-2 with another power-play goal 3:36 into the second frame. Brodersen tallied an assist on the play. The Royals answered, however, 37 seconds later on a goal from Eric Adams to take a 3-2 lead. Chris Fiala added a power-play goal at the 10:57 mark of the second period to increase the Royals' lead to 4-2. SJU netted their third power-play goal of the game with five minutes to play in the second. SJU made 19 saves, while Damjanovich made 34 stops for the Royals.
