Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Bethel erased a two-goal deficit with four consecutive goals enroute to a 4-3 win over Saint John's in the MIAC opener for both teams Thursday, Nov. 11, in St. Cloud.

The Johnnies (0-5, 0-1 MIAC) controlled much of the game except for the scoreboard, boasting a 45-26 shot advantage, including an 18-5 barrage in the third period, and a 50-27 edge in faceoffs. Both teams, however, combined for 1-for-15 on the power play. SJU was 0-for-7.

The one-goal loss is the fourth consecutive for SJU.

Senior Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) gave SJU an early 1-0 lead 3:10 into the game. Sophomore Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) and freshman Trent Johnson (Duluth, Minn.) were credited with assists. Fellow senior Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.) increased the lead to 2-0 3:09 later with assists from sophomore Tobias Linbro (Nykvarn, Sweden) and junior Conor Rooney (Stillwater, Minn.).

Jake Irey cut the deficit to 2-1 6:35 into the second frame and Chris Fiala tied the contest at 2-2 with a power-play goal three minutes later. Josh Simi gave the Royals (1-4, 1-0 MIAC) its first lead of the game at the 16:36 mark of the second period.

BU's Mason Swenson scored what proved to be the game-winner, shorthanded, 3:47 into the third period. The Johnnies had a 5-on-3 power play, but a turnover at the blueline, coupled with Jake Calleja exiting the penalty box, created a 2-on-1 breakaway.

Johnson scored his first collegiate goal with 7:26 left in regulation to cut it to 4-3. Harren and freshman James Saintey (Rosemount, Minn.) assisted on the scoring play.

Junior Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 22 saves in the loss, while Bethel's Zac Bush made 42 stops to improve to 1-3 on the year.

The Johnnies travel to Blaine for the return game Friday, Nov. 12. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Schwan Super Rink.