The SJU hockey team plays host to Bethel for a 7 p.m. non-conference game tonight at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. – Live Stats
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: The SJU hockey team added its fourth consecutive loss of the season against Augsburg on Saturday, Dec. 4. Following a script similar to the previous night, Augsburg scored three goals in the third period to defeat SJU, 4-2. Freshman Justin Brausen (Little Canada, Minn.) gave SJU (2-10, 2-4 MIAC) a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal 10:38 into the third period. Jim Jensen tied the game at 2-2 less than four minutes later on a power-play goal of his own, before Joel Sauer gave Augsburg a 3-2 lead with 1:21 remaining in regulation. Jensen then added an empty-net goal with 36 seconds left. Following a scoreless first period, Mario Mjelleli gave Augsburg a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal 18 seconds into the second period. Senior Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) tied the game with his first goal of the season, at the 5:47 mark of the second period. Sophomore Adam Andersson (Pixbo, Sweden) made 26 saves in the loss.
A LOOK AT THE ROYALS: Bethel (2-6-2, 2-2-2 MIAC) is coming off of two consecutive overtime ties against Concordia-Moorhead last weekend. Sophomore Jack Paul leads the squad with 11 points (7g/4a), followed by senior Christian Fogerty with nine (2g/7a) and sophomore Jack Calleja with eight (0g/8a). Sophomore Zac Bush is 2-4-2 in net with a 3.45 GAA and a .898 save percentage. The Royals' power-play crew is currently working at a 20.7 percent clip (12-for-58).
RECENT SERIES: The Johnnies and Royals split the MIAC series less than a month ago. SJU dropped a 4-3 decision at home before earning a 4-1 win in Blaine the following night. The victory snapped a string of four one-goal losses. The two teams combined for 0-for-14 on the power play (1-for-29 on the series) thanks to a total of 34 penalties for 93 minutes. Sophomore Joe Harren (Warroad, Minn.) followed his two-assist game on Thursday with a pair of goals Friday, including the game's first tally, unassisted, 6:14 into the game. Bethel tied the game at 1-1 three minutes later, but junior Conor Rooney (Stillwater, Minn.) gave the lead back to SJU for good 18 seconds later. Senior Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.) and sophomore Tobias Linbro (Nykvarn, Sweden) were credited with assists. Freshman James Saintey (Rosemount, Minn.) extended the lead to 3-1 with his first collegiate goal 5:55 into the second period. Fellow freshmen Justin Hochsprung (Alexandria, Minn.) and Jake Vande Lune (Monona, Wis.) recorded assists on the scoring play for their first collegiate points. Harren put the game away with an athletic goal at the 14:21 mark of the third period. Harren flew up the left wing, slipped the puck past a sliding defenseman while jumping over him, and then shot the puck past Zac Bush upon landing back to the ice. Senior Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and freshman Trent Johnson (Duluth, Minn.) tallied assists on the play. Junior Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) made 25 saves to record his first win between the pipes this season. SJU outshot Bethel 40-26 in the game (85-52 in the series).
