BLAINE, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women's hockey team was blanked, 2-0, by Bethel University in the opening game of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) series between the two teams on Friday evening at Bethel University Arena.

Bethel (4-5-0, 2-2-0 MIAC) got goals from Lindsey Albers and Emily Wiltse and a 22-save shutout from Mallory Tidona to take the series opener from St. Olaf (7-9-0, 1-8-0 MIAC). The Royals were playing their first game since Dec. 8 after having their last five games canceled.

After a scoreless opening 30-plus minutes, Bethel opened the scoring at the 11:20 mark of the second period when Albers beat senior Ivy Shonka from low in the left circle off an assist from Emily Roder. The goal came after the Oles had the puck in the net inside the first five minutes of the period but the goal was disallowed as a whistle blew the play dead before the puck went in.

The Royals added an insurance goal on the power play at 8:48 of the third period as Wiltse put a rebound into an open net to make it a 2-0 game. Special teams were a key for Bethel, which killed off all three St. Olaf power plays in the game and was 1-for-2 on its power-play opportunities.

Tidona stopped 10 shots in each of the first two periods before having to save just two in the third period to finish with a 22-save shutout. Shonka made 30 saves in the loss for the Oles.

The two teams finish off their series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22 at St. Olaf Ice Arena. Fans must provide proof of vaccination and be on a pass list with one of the teams.