Box Score | Photos (John Biasi)

BLAINE, Minn. – Saint John's fell to Bethel 5-3 in its conference opener Friday, Nov. 13, in Blaine.

Bethel's Chris Fiala gave the home team a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal 14:59 into the opening frame.

Sophomore Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) tied the contest 9:35 into the second period with assists going to senior Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.) and junior Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.).

The Royals regained the lead with a goal from Jake Calleja, the first of two on the night, with 4:52 left in the second.

Freshman Michael Palmiscno (East Grand Forks, Minn.) tied the game with a shorthanded goal with 1:13 left in the second frame. Senior Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play for SJU (2-2-1, 0-1-0 MIAC). The shorthanded tally was the first for the Johnnies since Feb. 28, 2008; a span of 30 games.

Bethel (1-4-0, 1-0-0 MIAC) stormed out to a 4-2 lead with a pair of goals 1:39 apart in the third period.

Senior Dylan Decker (Park City, Utah) netted his first goal of the season, on the power play, 10:09 into the third. Brodersen and Gilbert their second assists of the game.

BU's Jack Paul ended the scoring with an empty-net goal with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.

Sophomore Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 26 saves in the loss.

The Johnnies return home to host the Royals in their first game on the local rink Saturday, Nov. 14. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.