(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 9)—The McKendree College hockey team pulled out an 8-7 shootout victory Friday at Eastern Illinois University.

 

Junior center Scott Roberts (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) netted five goals in regulation, then scored the Bearcats’ first goal in the shootout. Sophomore wing Nick Dreyer (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) followed with the eventual game-winning tally in the shootout as McKendree improved to 15-9 overall. The Bearcats will close out the 2006-07 regular season Saturday in Danville, Ill., against Eastern Illinois. Face-off is set for 4 p.m.

 

The Bearcats trailed 6-4 in the third period but rallied with three unanswered goals to grab a 7-6 lead. Robert scored his fourth goal of the match at the 12:15 mark to slice the deficit to one goal. Sophomore center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) tied the contest just three minutes later before Roberts collected a short-handed goal with 5:17 left to put the Bearcats in front.

 

Eastern Illinois scored in the final minute to tie the game. Roberts then scored in the shootout to put McKendree in front. After the Panthers scored to tie the shootout at 1-1, Dreyer followed with his game-winner.