BLAINE, Minn. – The crowd at the National Sports Center watched for flying pucks, nets and bodies Friday, Feb. 21 as intensity built during the Bethel University Royals’ hard-fought 3-1 win against the St. Olaf College Oles in the first game of both teams’ final regular season series.
Aside from a close Ole overtime win earlier this season, the previous time these teams matched up was significant: the 2024 MIAC championship game, where—against the odds—fifth-ranked St. Olaf emerged victorious in a 4-1 win to claim the conference playoff title against the second-seeded Royals.
“We obviously remember the MIAC championship the most because that was here, and there was the most on the line,” Bethel junior forward Tyler Braccini said. “But that overtime loss is still fresh in our minds…it definitely helped us prepare for today’s game.
With playoffs lingering and home ice in the balance, both teams played close and physical.
The game started out scoreless for most of the opening period, with shots on goal nearly identical between teams.
Royals’ freshman defenseman Chase Beacom shut down a partial breakaway attempt from St. Olaf’s Joey Kennely late in the period at the cost of an interference penalty. St. Olaf won its offensive power-play draw but fumbled possession. Bethel forward Jake Herter poked the puck up ice and began his descent on a zone-to-zone breakaway. Just eight seconds into the penalty kill, he landed a backhanded shot from the right side through the goalie’s pads that trickled in. The Royals went up, 1-0.
Though down by one at the start, the Oles set themselves apart in the second period, dominating Bethel’s four shots on goal with their 10.
Eight minutes into the second period, a clearing attempt from Bethel’s goal line brought the puck to a one-on-two foot race into St. Olaf’s zone. Goaltender Thomas Lalonde stepped out of the crease to clear the puck wide, but Bethel’s Joe Westlund picked up the bouncing puck and delivered a wrist shot to the upper left corner. The shot hit inside the crossbar, deflected right back out into play, and the referee declared it a goal. The Royals led 2-0.
The game heated up with big hits and penalty minutes.
Later that period, the Oles put their team on the board with a goal by Jonathan Panisa on the power play which resulted from the second of back-to-back minor penalties on Bethel defenseman Caydon Meyer. The score became 2-1 Bethel.
Senior goaltender Austin Ryman managed save after save throughout the second and third periods, raising intensity and keeping the Royals ahead of St. Olaf throughout.
“Austin Ryman played tremendous tonight,” head coach Chris McKelvie said. “I thought he was probably the difference in the game… so credit to him for stepping up.”
Braccini tallied Bethel’s final goal as he found the back of an empty net with just 1.7 seconds remaining.
A game of unconventional scoring chances and breakaway attempts ended in a 3-1 win for the Royals, landing them an automatic home ice advantage in the MIAC postseason semifinals.
“It means a lot to play on home ice,” Braccini said. “To have the opportunity for our own students and family to be able to come…we all love playing here.”
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Bethel secured its second-seed fate in Friday night’s game but fell short of a final series sweep away at St. Olaf’s rink Saturday. The Oles’ regulation win landed the team a third-seed spot in the standings, meaning they will be returning to Bethel’s ice to fight for advancement into the finals.
Going into Saturday’s games, a five-way tie stood for the third seed in the MIAC standings between St. Olaf College, Concordia College, St. John’s University, Saint Mary’s University and the College of St. Scholastica. As games were played and the day continued, teams found their final ranks in the conference.
Fourth- and fifth-seeded St. John’s and Concordia will fight Wednesday night for a chance at the semifinal game versus number-one-seeded Gustavus, which will take place next Saturday.
The Royals face off against St. Olaf College yet again next weekend in the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs at the National Sports Center on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m.
