(SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Feb. 4)—The McKendree University hockey team came up short in its bid for a Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association playoff berth as it dropped a 5-4 decision in the 2013-14 season finale Saturday at Missouri State University.
 
Sophomore forward Jacob Schlote (House Springs, MO/Hillsboro) scored twice, while senior forward Andrew Olden (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) and freshman forward Brett Maggio (Collinsville, IL/Triad) also added a goal in the contest for the Bearcats. McKendree closes its season with an overall record of 6-7-3.
 
All four goals for McKendree came at even strength. Olden gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead in the first seven minutes of play, with assists credited to senior forward Matt Seelbach and junior defenseman Quinn Hellman. Missouri State tied the game at 1-1 midway through the frame before Schlote scored off a pass from Hellman at the 5:37 mark to give McKendree a 2-1 advantage. The Bears knotted the score less than a minute later to close out the first period scoring.
 
Schlote gave the Bearcats a 3-2 lead thanks to a goal with 15:44 remaining in the second period. Sophomore forward Andrew Falls (Brentwood, TN/Brentwood) picked up the assist on Schlote's final goal of the game. After Missouri State tied the score once again, Maggio lit the lamp with just under four minutes left in the period to give McKendree its final lead of the night at 4-3.
 
However, Missouri State shut down McKendree in the third period and scored twice to rally for the win. Freshman goalie Tony Salamone (Jefferson City, MO/Jefferson City) had a busy night in goal for the Bearcats as he stopped 45 of the 50 shots he faced.