Senior Riley Horgan scored a hat trick and one assist to lead the St. Thomas men’s hockey team to a 6-4 non-conference victory over Bethel Saturday.

Bethel (6-9) came back from 2-0 and 4-2 during the game to tie at four late in the second period. However, St. Thomas (8-6-1) outshot Bethel 13-3 in the final period and put away two goals to end the game on top.

Coach Jeff Boeser said he’s always happy with a win, especially if the team plays as one.

“We’re a pretty good hockey team when we play St. Thomas hockey,” Boeser said. “We stay out of the penalty box and stop being selfish.”

Horgan said he enjoyed playing against an aggressive Bethel team.

“It’s really kind of open and run and gun; so it’s always fun to play those guys,” Horgan said.

Horgan scored his first of three goals 3:48 seconds into the first period on a power play with assists from forwards Tyler Gubb and Alex Altenbernd.

“Alty (Altenbernd) got it off the boards, and Gubb moved it up to me. I had plenty of time to pick my spot,” Horgan said. “I put it away right above the pad.”

Overall, St. Thomas outshot Bethel 34-23, and Boeser said it was nice to see some goals because his team has been having trouble putting the puck in the net.

“Hopefully that’ll give the guys some confidence,” Boeser said.

Shortly after he helped Horgan hit the back of the net earlier in the period, Gubb scored his first collegiate goal 7:36 into the first period with help from Horgan and forward Tyler Richter.

“I was a little shocked it came so early (in the game),” Gubb said. “I didn’t know if I was going to get one (goal) coming in.”

Bethel answered back when forward Mitch Hughes scored a power-play goal with 1:04 left in the first period to put the Royals on the board making the score 2-1.

Gubb said he felt some rivalry with Bethel right from the start of the game.

“It was a hard physical game. They’ve got some big boys there,” Gubb said. “We get to play them two more times so I’m excited for that.”

The second period started slick for Horgan when he scored off a Bethel turnover and pulled away on a breakaway to move the Tommies 3-1 over Bethel. Assists went to forwards Connor McBride and Chris Cass.

“Cass poked it off a stick and moved it up the boards,” Horgan said. “I faked to the left, moved to the right and backhanded it in.”

After a goals from Bethel’s forward Garrett Windle, and St. Thomas’ forward Nick Nielsen, the game continued to be physical with unsportsmanlike conduct and roughing penalties.

The Tommies accumulated nine penalties throughout the game, four happening in the first period, while Bethel had seven of its own throughout the game.

Bethel began to gain some momentum at the end of the second with another goal from Windle and another power-play goal from Hughes to tie the score at four.

For the final period, Horgan put away another one, this time from defenseman Jeremy Hepler for St. Thomas to edge Bethel 5-4. Forward Brandon Bahnemann insured the 6-4 victory after a scramble in front of the Bethel net to score the last goal of the game at 7:16.

While Boeser said he was happy with the game’s outcome, there’s always a possibility for growth.

“There’s always room for improvement. There’s always room to get better,” Boeser said. “But I’m never unhappy with a win.”

St. Thomas will start its next series Jan. 11 against Hamline away.

Caroline Rode can be reached at rode8318@stthomas.edu.