MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — Junior forward Spencer Zwiener’s goal was not enough for the St. Thomas men’s hockey team to keep its undefeated MIAC record, losing 3-1 to Bethel Friday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
Zwiener’s goal was assisted by senior forwards Jack Christensen and Broydon Stufko.
“It was nice to get it done,” Zwiener said. “The goal is nice, but it doesn’t really mean anything when we lost.”
Bethel (2-3-1, 1-1-1 MIAC) took the board less than a minute into gameplay, with junior forward Michael Piehler scoring off assists from sophomore defender Brandon Baker and first-year forward Jarrett Cammarata. Zwiener’s goal put St. Thomas (4-2-1, 2-1 MIAC) on the board late in the first period.
Cammarata scored for Bethel at the end of the second period, with assists coming from Michael Pieheler and Dylan Giorgio.
Piehler scored again with 13 seconds left in the third period on an empty net goal for the Royals.
“I was really disappointed with my guys,” coach Jeff Boeser said. “I don’t think we came ready to play tonight and obviously they came ready to play.”
Sophomore goalie Camden Burggrabe saved all but two of Bethel’s 19 shots on goal.
“I thought it was a goalie battle,” Burggrabe said. “We went head-to-head, and they got one lucky bounce.”
Bethel’s net was guarded by sophomore goalie Ridge Gerads, who saved all but one of St. Thomas’s 39 shots on goal.
The Tommies clocked six minutes in the penalty box with three penalties, while the Royals took two penalties, totaling four minutes in the penalty box.
The Tommies travel to Bethel for a rematch Saturday at 7 p.m.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.