ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team traveled to St. Paul this evening looking to capture a season sweep over the Royals from Bethel. The Royals scored a goal in both the first and second periods to take a 2-0 lead. Despite the Saints getting a goal midway through the third period, it would prove to be too much, as the Royals took tonight's contest by a score of 2-1. 

How it Happened 

First Period

Early opportunities for the Saints to get on the board would be denied by the Royals defense, as Jacob Seitz (Mountain Iron, Minn./Virginia HS) and Evan Pahos (Parker, CO) both got shots on goal but were turned away. 

Bethel would be able to break the scoreless tie early in the period, as at the 7:10 point in the period, the Royals would score an even-strength goal to take an early lead over CSS. 

Late in the period, Eino Rissanen (Sonvillier, Switzerland/Lycée Blaise-Cendrars) would be able to record five saves within a minute, as the Royals held a 1-0 lead after one period of play. 

Second Period

Aksel Jalojarvi (Lahti, Finland) made his presence felt on the defensive side of things to open the second period, as Rissanen would be able to record three more saves in the early stages in the period. 

Nathan Adrian (Roseau, Minn./Roseau HS) and Gavin Gunderson (Roseau, Minn) took their turn at trying to find the equalizer, but both attempts were unsuccessful, with the Royals still leading 1-0. 

The Saints got more blocked shots midway through the period, as this time it was Matej Palfy (Kosice, Slovakia/Gymnasium Trebisovska) and Tristan Shewchuk (Saskatoon, SK, Canada/St. Joseph HS) getting credit for stopping those shots. 

At the 14:28 mark in the period, the Royals would find the back of the net for the second time, once again at even-strength, expanding their lead to 2-0. 

The Saints were able to go on the powerplay near the end of the period, but the Royals still held the lead at 2-0 heading into the third period. 

Third Period

The Saints were able to get four solid attempts at the net while still on the powerplay, but the Royals were ultimately able to kill off the penalty and get back to full strength. 

After the Saints forecheck dominated the early stages of the period, Brodie Girod (Clavet, SK, Canada/Clavet HS) was able to get the Saints on the board, with Hunter Hanson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) and Jalojarvi getting credited with the assists, cutting their deficit in half to 2-1. 

CSS looked to keep their foot on the gas with Shewchuk and Nick Lanigan (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) getting looks at the net, but the score remained at 2-1. 

The Saints were handed two minor penalties in the late stages of the contest, and despite killing off both penalties, the Royals were able to keep the Saints offense quiet down the stretch, taking tonight's contest by a score of 2-1.

Up Next

The Saints (9-9-1, 4-6-0 MIAC) will be back in action next Friday, January 31st, where they will host the Cardinals from Saint Mary's. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.