(PEORIA, Ill., Jan. 23)—The McKendree University hockey team got its offensive attack in gear early in posting a 10-3 victory Friday night on the road against Robert Morris University-Peoria.
After falling behind 1-0 in the opening moments, the Bearcats reeled off seven unanswered goals to command a 7-1 lead after two periods of play. McKendree improves to 14-9 on the season and will close out its weekend series against the Eagles Saturday evening in Peoria.
Forward
Dylan Mueth (Lebanon, IL/Wesclin ) notched a hat trick to lead the way for McKendree. Sophomore forward
Ryan Sizer (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Moira Secondary School) also had a big night offensively with two goals and a pair of assists. Sophomore forward
Billy Lamb (St. Louis, MO/St. Mary's) also scored twice and added an assist in the effort for the Bearcats.
Robert Morris-Peoria scored within the first two minutes of play to grab an early 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes into the contest, Mueth scored the first of his three goals to even the score at 1-1. Mueth followed three minutes later with another tally that put the Bearcats in front to stay at 2-1. Lamb closed the first period for McKendree by scoring twice in the final 2:21 to extend the margin to 4-1 at the intermission.
Sophomore defenseman
Nick Brendel (Fenton, MO/Fox) opened the second-period scoring for McKendree before freshman forward
Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) made it 6-1 for the visitors midway through the period. Sizer netted his first goal of the evening with two minutes left in the stanza to give the Bearcats a 7-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play. Robert Morris-Peoria broke the McKendree run in the early stages of the third period before Mueth, Sizer and freshman forward
Sasha-Mitchell Perron (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada/Bellingham Blazers (NPHL)) wrapped up the Bearcats' scoring to close out the win.
Freshman
Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A) registered 25 saves to collect the victory in goal for McKendree.
