Staff Writer- Katie Thomas
On Saturday, Jan. 31st, 2026, the Gustavus Adolphus College Men’s Hockey matchup against Bethel University was an intense game that went into overtime, where both teams fought for the win. In this conference game, the two teams showcased disciplined programs that were fighting to add a win to their season record. Gustavus had an advantage playing in front of an energized home crowd, where they won the game for a final score of 2-1.
From the opening faceoff, it was evident that both teams wanted the win badly. Gustavus and Bethel both started off the game with a great defensive effort that kept the opposing team from getting close to the net. The great defense in the first period resulted in limited high-quality chances and forced most shots to come from a good distance away. Gustavus worked to establish possession and execute solid passes, while Bethel relied on hard pressure to disrupt rhythm and slow the pace of the game.
As the game continued, the physicality increased. Players were body-checking along the boards, and puck battles in the corners became longer and more intense. Gustavus began to push forward and work on the offensive side of the game and tested Bethel’s defensive structure. Bethel stayed composed and continued blocking shots and clearing rebounds quickly. With keeping the score tight, that game was a fun one to watch, and the crowd was eager for a goal. Bethel pulled ahead and capitalized on a mistake. They picked up some momentum, but the Gusties didn’t let that take them out of the game. Only having a one-goal difference they fought hard and came back score only 9 minutes later with seconds left in the period. Now all tied up, both teams felt the pressure going into the next period to score the winning goal.
In the next two periods, the score stayed close; the teams never more than one goal apart. No one let up and the third period finished 1-1, sending the teams into overtime. With the score tied, every shift carried weight. Gustavus played with confidence, moving the puck quickly and attacking with purpose. 40 seconds in, Gustavus took the lead and the win with another goal. The crowd cheered on the Gusties after a hard-fought and intense game. The 2–1 overtime victory carried significance beyond the final score. In a tightly contested MIAC race, the win strengthened Gustavus’s position in the conference standings. Previous to this game, the two teams were tied in the MIAC standings. The Gusties overtook the Royals and are now in first place with six games left in their season. This game also contributed to the Gusties’ winning streak of 11 in a row, having a record of 13-5-1 overall this season. The win was a team effort. Forward and Senior Nate Stone scored the first goal, and Junior forward Grant Ellings helped the team succeed with his goals, but neither could have done it without their teammates. The passing, defense, and shots blocked all contributed to the Gustie win and showed how successful the team is when they work together.
Ultimately, the game between Gustavus and Bethel showed two highly ranked MIAC men’s hockey teams battling it out for the first-place seed. It was fast, physical, and took a lot of effort, with a close-scored game going into overtime. The overtime win gave Gustavus a hard-earned moment of confidence and momentum going into their next game. The Gusties play next at home against St. John’s University, on Friday, Feb. 6th at 7:00 p.m. Good luck and go Gusties!