BLAINE, Minn. - The UW-River Falls men's hockey team defeated Bethel University 3-1 Saturday evening in a nonconference road contest in its first action of the 2024 calendar year.

UWRF improves to 9-5 overall with the win, defeating the now 10-3-2 Royals, who received votes in the latest USCHO.com Division III National poll.

Valentino Passarelli opened the scoring late in the first period with held from Connor McGrath and Noah Roofe, giving UWRF a 1-0 lead, which they held into the third period.

With under five minutes left in regulation, Dylan Smith scored a clutch goal to give UWRF a two-goal cushion, which proved to be the game-winner. 

The Royals pulled their goaltender late in the game and UWRF capitalized with an empty net goal by Josh Martin, extending the Falcons' lead to 3-0. Despite the three-goal deficit, Bethel pulled its goalie again and scored to spoil the Falcons' shutout with under a minute left on the clock.

UWRF held a 28-21 edge in shots on goal while Noah Roofe tallied two assists. Dean Buchholz collected 20 saves in net to earn his sixth win of the season.

The Falcons have a pair of nonconference games next weekend, hosting St. Scholastica and Gustavus.
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