ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The men’s hockey team traveled to Bethel for a Friday night contest and suffered a 5-2 loss, moving to 2-5 overall and begin conference play at 0-1.
Bethel took an early one goal lead three minutes into the first period, but Nick Klishko (Sr., San Diego) found his way past Royal defenders with assists credited to Tyler Ebner (Sr., La Crosse, Wis.) and Ryan Petersen (Fy., Roseville), tying the game 1-1. Despite two Gustie power plays and outshooting Bethel 17-12, the score remained even heading in the second.
At the 4:50 mark in the second period, Klishko and George Hansen (Sr., Patchogue, N.Y.) connected on passes before Jack Westlund (Fy., Alexandria) scored off the rebound for a Gustie lead. The Royals responded five minutes later to tie it back up and added an insurance goal with thirty seconds left in the second period.
Three minutes into the third period Bethel tacked on a fourth goal and on an empty Gustavus net, the Royals net minder scored the fifth and final goal.
Grant Boldt (Fy., Frazee) suffered the loss making 22 saves while allowing four goals.
The Gusties return home on Saturday when they host Bethel in a rematch for the Teddy Bear Toss and will honor and recognize the 1976-77 Gustavus men’s hockey team beginning at 7:00.