(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 20)—The McKendree University hockey team was edged Saturday at home by Illinois State University 3-2 at the East Alton Ice Arena.
 
Playing in their final home game of the 2013-14 season, the Bearcats were poised for the weekend sweep after holding a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. But the Icebirds scored twice in the final 20 minutes of play to send McKendree to defeat. The Bearcats are now 5-7 overall and will head north this weekend for a pair of games against Robert Morris University-Peoria. The teams will play both contests at the Owens Center in Peoria.
 
After a scoreless first period, sophomore forward Jacob Schlote (House Springs, MO/Hillsboro) scored on a penalty shot midway through the second period to give McKendree a 1-0 lead. Illinois State knotted the score less than a minute later before junior defenseman Quinn Hellmann (Gillispie, IL/Gillespie) rushed the length of the ice and scored to give the Bearcats the lead once again at 2-1.
 
Illinois State evened the score early in the third period before scoring the game-winning with just under six minutes on the clock.
 
Freshman Tony Salamone (Jefferson City, MO/Jefferson City) registered 28 saves in goal for McKendree.