SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's hockey team commenced the 2026-27 season Friday, as they played host to the Royals of Bethel University. The Royals got on top with two early goals from Connor Brazil, and despite a late surge from the Yellowjackets, Bethel scored twice more in the second period to claim a 4-3 win over Superior inside Wessman Arena.
Game Notes
- Brazil struck at 1:28 and 4:28 in period one, giving the Royals an early advantage.
- Superior got on the board at 3:07 as Vinay Junek (Yorkton, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Regional) found the back of the net from a feed off the stick of Daniel Rozsival (Chicago, Ill./North Shore Country Day).
- Bethel scored twice in the second period before Evan Axell (Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong) and Junek collaborated on feeds to Justin Dauphinais (Val Caron, Ontario/École Secondaire Catholique Horizon) who lit the lamp for his first goal of the campaign.
- On the power play, AJ Reed (Milwaukee, Wis./Menomonee Falls) brought Superior within one at 5:44 in the third period, but despite a few good looks, the Yellowjackets couldn't net the equalizer as they fell 4-3.
- Dauphinais, Blake Setter (Calgary, Alberta/Central Memorial) and Roope Tuomioksa (Tuusula, Finland/Mäkelänrinne Sports High) each had four shots to lead the 'Jackets, while Evan Axell (Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong) logged three blocks on the evening.
- Gage Stewart (Marathon, Ontario/St. Mary's Catholic Secondary) took the loss on the evening, making 11 saves in 40 minutes. Serving the remainder of the game in net was Jack Boschert (Florissant, Mo./Duchesne), who made 10 saves.
The 'Jackets and Royals will do it again Saturday evening, this time at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
