|
Bethel Goalie Stifles UW-Stevens
Point
by Scott Williams
Stevens Point Journal
Original Article
Box
Score
Bethel College goalie Dustin Thompson underwent a makeover
that would be the envy of any plastic surgeon.
Less than 24 hours after surrendering eight goals, Thompson looked like a
different person between the pipes against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point.
Thompson made 34 saves to leave the Pointers muttering to themselves as the
Royals skated out of K.B. Willett Arena with a 4-0 non-conference win Saturday
night.
"My 'D' are just great. I've been leaving rebounds all year and they
cleared everything out of there," Thompson said. "They are what makes
me look good."
Thompson didn't need too much help.
In the opening period, the Pointers threw more rubber at the sophomore netminder
than a Goodyear tire salesman. But Thompson stood tall and refused to blink,
stopping all 21 shots he faced.
His performance set the tone for the night and left many UWSP players shaking
their heads. No matter what they tried, nothing worked against Thompson.
"I'm not convinced we played that bad," UWSP coach Joe Baldarotta
said. "Their goalie was great in case you didn't notice. You have to give
him credit. He was the difference in the game tonight."
In each of the first two games this season, UWSP (2-1)
faced an early one-goal deficit but managed to rebound. This time around the
Pointers dug themselves a hole too big to climb out of as Bethel struck for
three goals in the opening 20 minutes.
The killer score came off the stick of Ryan Adams, who won a face-off in the
UWSP zone and then lifted a shot past goalie Bryn Davies that gave the Royals a
2-0 lead.
"We didn't take care of a check off a face-off. That is a mistake you can't
make," Baldarotta said.
The back-breaker came when the Royals' Dan Ubl found the back of the net from
close range with 58 seconds left in the opening period.
Josh Storm had opened the scoring with a power-play goal at the 6:46 mark,
redirecting Nate Peasley's shot from the point past Davies.
The three-goal cushion helped make Thompson's job a little easier.
"This was a huge win for our goalie and team. It's the first shutout we've
had in the 11 years I've been here," Bethel coach Peter Aus said.
"That third goal was a huge one. You don't want to give them any
momentum."
UWSP tried a number of things to change the momentum,
including a goalie change between the first and second period.
Thompson made sure nothing was going to change.
Bethel's Jon Kramer rewarded his goalie by picking up an unassisted goal with
9:36 left in regulation to seal the deal.
"We just need to keep plugging along. One guy (Thompson) can win a game.
That's hockey," Baldarotta said. "We can't get frustrated over this
one. We just need to find our niche."
UWSP will look for it on the road with games at St. Olaf
and Gustavus Adolphus next weekend.
|
