(FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill., Oct. 2)—The McKendree University hockey team rolled to a 4-1 victory Friday over SIU-Edwardsville (Sliver) in the Bearcats' 2009-10 home opener at U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights.
Senior goaltender Mike Stier (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) make 30 saves and took a shutout deep into the third period to help lead the Bearcats to the win. McKendree is now 2-1 on the year and will host SIU-Edwardsville again Saturday at 3 p.m.
Freshman center/wing Ryan Dietl (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) (Webster Groves, Mo.) gave McKendree a 1-0 lead early in the first period off a pass from senior wing Zach Evans (Columbia, Ill.). Senior center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill.) made it 2-0 with just 20 seconds left in the opening period. After a scoreless second period, Dietl netted his second goal of the contest seven minutes into the third stanza to extend the Bearcats' margin to 3-0.
Evans tallied the final goal of the evening for McKendree at the midway point of the third period. Alex Edwards spoiled Stier's shutout bid with an SIU-Edwardsville goal with just 3:25 to play.
Sophomore wing J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) (Budapest, Hungary) handed out two assists for McKendree.
-McK-
