(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 22)—The McKendree University hockey team stretched its win streak to four games with a 6-5 victory Saturday at home against Robert Morris College.

 

The Bearcats built a 6-3 lead early in the third period, then held off a late rally from the Eagles for the win. McKendree is now 6-2 overall and will play host to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (Gold) Friday at 8 p.m. The match will be held at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights.

 

A balanced offensive attack continued for McKendree as six different players scored in the win. Junior center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) led the Bearcats with a goal and two assists.

 

McKendree scored three goals in a one-minute span midway through the first period to open up a 3-0 advantage. Junior wing Zach Crawford (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) opened the scoring at the 12:20 mark before Donze found the back of the net just 28 seconds later. Senior wing Kyle Ilges (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) capped the scoring outburst 32 seconds after Donze’s goal.

 

Robert Morris rallied to pull within 4-3 late in the second period before junior wing Zach Evans (Columbia, Ill./Columbia) netted an unassisted power-play goal, and junior defenseman Brooks Boeschen (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) followed with a shorthanded goal to extend McKendree’s lead back to three goals. The Eagles scored twice in the closing minutes, including a goal with just 29 seconds remaining. But McKendree was able to hold on for the win.

 

Junior Marc Power (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) collected 24 saves to earn his third straight win.