WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's hockey team returns to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Friday, as the Cardinals host Bethel in a 7:30 p.m. game at the SMU Ice Arena.

The Matchup:
Saint Mary's Cardinals (3-1-0 MIAC | 5-8-0 Overall)
vs. Bethel Royals (5-1-0 MIAC | 6-9-0 Overall)

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Last Action:
The Cardinals came up empty in their final two nonconference games of the season last weekend, falling to two-time defending national champion and fifth-ranked St. Norbert 12-2 in De Pere, Wis., on Friday, before dropping a 4-0 decision to UW-Stevens in Stevens Point, Wis., on Saturday. … Bethel also closed out nonconference play last weekend, falling to UW-Stout 5-1 in Menomonie, Wis., on Friday, then coming up short in a 6-4 decision to St. Thomas in Mendota Heights, Minn., on Saturday.

SMU vs. Bethel — Their Last Meeting:
October 27, 2012: SMU erupted for six goals in the first two periods — including a pair from Bob Marx (Sioux City, Iowa) — and never looked back in handing Bethel a 7-2 nonconference setback during the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Hockey Showcase at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minn.

SMU vs. Bethel — A Year Ago:
January 13, 2012: For 40 minutes, SMU had the upper hand against host Bethel. Over the final 20 minutes, however, the Royals turned the tables, as Bethel scored three third-period goals in handing the Cardinals a 5-3 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback at Bethel Arena in Blaine, Minn.
January 14, 2012: SMU dominated its MIAC game against Bethel at the SMU Ice Arena. The Cardinals had the advantage in every offensive category. Every category except the one that mattered most — the final score. Fortunately for SMU, a two-goal outburst in the span of less than a minute late in the third period allowed the Cardinals to earn a valuable conference point with 2-2 overtime tie.

Up Next:
The Cardinals head to the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine, Minn., on Saturday, as SMU and Bethel square off in the second game of their two-game conference series. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

Scouting The Saint Mary's Cardinals:
2012-13 Roster | 2012-13 Statistics | 2012-13 Schedule
Last Saturday's game against UW-Stevens Point was not only the final nonconference game of the season for the Cardinals, but also the last of five straight road games. … Mike Hill (Fort Worth, Texas) scored both of Saint Mary's goals against nationally ranked St. Norbert last Friday. It was the third two-goal game of his collegiate career. … With the two goals, Hill moved into the team lead in goals with eight. The freshman also leads the Cardinals in assists (9) and points (17). … The Cardinals have now posted eight multiple-goal games this season. Hill has three, Austin Balko (Midland, Mich.) has two and Bobby Thompson (Centerville, Minn.), Jed McGlasson (Kenai, Alaska) and Bob Marx (Sioux City, Iowa) have each recorded one. … SMU boasts five players with 10 or more points through 13 games — Hill (17), Thompson (13), Marx (12), Kevin Wentland (Columbia Heights, Minn. / 11) and Balko (10). … SMU's 45 goals have come from 15 different players, while 19 Cardinals have recorded at least one point. … After scoring just one shorthanded goal all of last season, SMU has netted four shorthanded goals this season. … The four shorthanded goals are the most since SMU tallied five shorties during the 2006-07 season. … Andy Scheib (Sun Prairie, Wis.), who made 25 saves against nationally ranked St. Norbert last Friday, has now stopped 181 shots in nine games, compiling a 4.15 goals-against-average and an .850 save percentage. … Christian Gaffy (Scandia, Minn.) equaled his career high with 30 saves against UW-Stevens Point last Saturday. It was the second 30-save effort in as many starts for the sophomore goalie. … After going nine games without giving up a shorthanded goal, SMU has surrendered four in its last three games — including two against St. Norbert last Friday. … The Cardinals have scored 34 goals in their five wins this season — including a season-high nine goals in their 9-2 rout of Hamline on Nov. 9. … SMU's nine goals against the Pipers are the most since SMU erupted for 14 goals in a 14-3 win over Concordia during the 2006-07 season. … The Cardinals have scored first in seven of their 13 games — including all five of their wins. … SMU's 4-0 loss at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday marked the second time this season the Cardinals have been held without a goal.

Scouting the Bethel Royals:
2012-13 Roster | 2012-13 Statistics | 2012-13 Schedule
The Royals enter this weekend's showdown with Saint Mary's tied for the top spot in the conference standings with St. Thomas at 5-1-0. … With their two losses last weekend, the Royals have now dropped three straight. … Bethel has surrendered 41 goals in its nine losses this season — including five or more goals five times. … Mitch Hughes scored three goals in BU's two games last weekend, scoring the Royals' lone goal in last Friday's 5-1 loss to UW-Stout, then adding two goals in their 6-4 setback at St. Thomas. … Garrett Windle also scored twice vs. the Tommies to account for Bethel's other two goals. … Matt Rowe was in goal for both games last weekend, stopping 26 shots on Friday and 28 more on Saturday. … Hughes and Windle enter this weekend's showdown with Saint Mary's leading the team in goals with seven each. … Jack Paul is the team's assist (10) and points (15) leader. … Hughes (13) and Colin Mayer (10) have also notched 10 or more points this season. … The Royals have used three different goalies this season, with Rowe and Dan Harper seeing the majority of the work. Rowe owns a 2.96 goals-against-average and an .895 save percentage in seven games, while Harper has a 3.00 GAA and an .886 save percentage in seven games. … BU has been outscored 48-37, including 17-8 in the first period. … The Royals are 4-2-0 when scoring first, but just 2-7-0 when their opponent scores the game's first goal.