(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 23)—The McKendree University hockey team erupted for four goals in the third period to rally for a 5-3 victory over Illinois State University Friday night in the Bearcats' 2012-13 season opener in Bloomington, Ill.
 
Four different Bearcat players scored as McKendree won its first on-ice season opener since the 2007-08 season. McKendree and Illinois State will wrap up its weekend series Saturday.
 
Freshman center Nick Faulkner (New Baden, IL/) scored twice in his collegiate debut for McKendree, while senior wing Nic Rolla (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) – the Bearcats' leading scorer last season – netted the go-ahead goal with just over 16 minutes to play.
 
Faulkner opened the scoring for the Bearcats midway through the first period before Illinois State grabbed the lead with two goals in the second period. Less than two minutes into the third period, Faulkner struck again with an unassisted goal to tie the contest at 2-2. Rolla broke the deadlock with 16:16 remaining with assists credited to senior center J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) and junior defenseman Cody Smothers (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo).
 
Just 12 seconds later, Coleman scored to give the Bearcats a two-goal advantage. The Icebirds pulled within 4-2 midway through the third period before sophomore wing Elliot Emann (Washington, Mo./Washington) sealed the victory for McKendree with a tally in the closing seconds.
 
Nathan Campo (Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South) stopped 33 shots in goal to pick up the win. Campo led the Bearcats with 11 victories between the pipes in 2011-12.