RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls men's hockey team opened its weekend homestand with a 6-3 loss against Bethel University Friday night at Hunt Arena.
The Falcons, now 8-6 overall, saw their most goals against since a 7-4 setback against UW-Stout last season. UWRF's previous opponent season-high for goals scored was four.
A busy first period featured a combined four goals, three from the Royals. After nine scoreless minutes to open the game, Bethel claimed a 2-0 lead in under three minutes. The Falcons and Royals then traded power play goals.
Ethan Lindahl found
Owen Belisle open in the slot for his first goal of the season to get the Falcons on the board, but the visitors had an answer with a power play goal of their own shortly after, earning a 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The high-scoring trend continued in the second period with another four goals. Just under four minutes in,
Cole Teleki trimmed the Royal lead to 3-2, but Bethel had an answer.
Gibb Coady scored on the rush to again cut the BU lead to one goal, however the visitors put a dagger in the Falcons with a goal at 19:07 of the period to head into the final frame with a 5-3 advantage.
Under a minute in the third period, the Royals capitalized on a Falcon turnover and scored an unassisted goal to put the game out of reach.
After his fourth goal allowed goaltender
Brennan Boynton was relieved by
Nolan LaCosse, who finished with nine saves in 30 minutes during his Falcon debut.
UWRF held a 33-30 edge in shots on goal while BU led 36-28 in faceoffs. Teleki and Coady each finished with two-point nights, both recording a goal and an assist.
The Falcons return to Hunt Arena tomorrow night to host the College of St. Scholastica.
