(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 18) – The McKendree University D2 men's hockey team will play three games this week. On Wednesday, Oct. 19 the Bearcats will finish their two game series with Lindenwood University in Wentzville, Mo. at the Lindenwood Ice Arena at 7 p.m. McKendree then hits the road to play Aurora University at All Seasons Ice Arena in Naperville, Ill., on Friday at 9:05 p.m. and Saturday at 7:55 p.m.
 
The Bearcats defeated Lindenwood in a shootout in their last matchup on October 5. The Bearcats record currently sits at (5-0), with the Lions record at (3-1-1). In the last contest McKendree was outshot by Lindenwood 42 to 22, but sophomore goalie Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Saint Theresa’s High School) stopped 40 of 42, as well as all three of the Lion's shooters in the shootout. The two teams matchup again on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo. 
 
After Wednesday's contest, McKendree hits the road for Naperville, Ill. to take on the Aurora University Spartans at the All Seasons Ice Arena on Friday night at 9:05 p.m. The teams play again on Saturday at 7:55 p.m. Similar to McKendree, Aurora is also a first year ACHA D2 club, moving up in for their fourth season of competition. In the program's first three seasons the team reached the ACHA Division 3 National Championships twice. This series marks the first games at the ACHA D2 level for the Spartans.
 
In just five games this season, senior forward Ryan Sizer (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Moira Secondary School) has amassed 14 points, netting four goals and registering ten assists. Freshman forward Levi Armstrong (Urbana, IL/Urbana HS) is close behind with nine points, scoring two goals and notching seven assists. Leading the Bearcats in goals is defenseman Steven Csanyi with six, as well as two assists.
 
Backstopping the Bearcats to their five wins are goaltenders Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Saint Theresa’s High School) and Jared Bradley (St. Peters, MO/Fort Zumwalt South HS). Both goaltenders are undefeated on the season, thus far. Bradley has registered a goals against average of 4.00 and a save percentage of 0.869, with Best registering a goals against average of 1.95 and a save percentage of 0.939.
 
"We have a tough week ahead of us with three away games against two tough opponents. We were fortunate to come out with the shootout win against Lindenwood, Best played great that game and we hope that we can repeat that effort," said head coach Garry Henson. "We're expecting Aurora to be a challenge, it's a very strong program and we are going to have to be at our best to come away with two wins."