SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Gustavus men's hockey team scored early and often Saturday night at Don Roberts Ice Rink, handing Bethel its first loss of the season in a 6-2 decision. The Gusties improve to 3-4-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the MIAC, while the Royals drop to 5-1-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the league. 

Jac Triemert set the tone early with a goal 25 seconds into the game, assisted by Hunter Newhouse. Nearly four minutes later, the Royals answered with their first goal and the score remained tied until Triemert scored his second goal at the 14:56 mark. Less than a minute later and on the power play, Connor Mahony added his name to the stat sheet with a score, assisted by Jack Kubitz. And with 39 seconds left in the period, Triemert netted his third goal of the period with the help of Kylar Fenton and Newhouse. Triemert tallied his first career hat trick and the first by a Gustie since Caleb Anderson on Jan. 31, 2020. 

Bethel got a goal back in the second period and the score read 4-2 after 40 minutes. On the power play nearly seven minutes into the third period, Jack Suchy sniped in a goal from inside the Royal blue line after a direct pass from goalie Marko Belak, who was credited with the assist. And with 1:15 left in the game, Brendan Sloth sealed the victory with an empty-netter. 

Tensions were high from the onset and the game featured 16 penalties, including an ejection of a Bethel player near the end of the game for contact to the head. Gustavus went 3-for-9 on the power play and was a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. The Gusties also nearly doubled the Royals in shots, 40-24. Belak made 22 saves in goal to earn the win. 

Gustavus next hosts UW-Stout on Tuesday night. 
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