(WENTZVILLE, Mo., Oct. 20) – The McKendree University D2 men's hockey team split the series with Lindenwood University on a 6-3 loss last night at Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo.
 
In the previous contest McKendree came out on top, winning 3-2 after a shootout. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, that was not the case on Wednesday night falling 6-3 to the Lions.
 
Lindenwood struck first in the game, scoring at the 13:34 mark of the first period, to put them up 1-0. The Lions added another goal with just two minutes left to give them a two goal lead heading into the second period. McKendree came out strong in the second period, with Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/Sesta) scoring inside the first minute on an unassisted effort. Lindenwood scored two more times before the Bearcats could respond again. Defenseman Josh Donovan (Ojai, CA/Cornerstone Academy) had the response when he scored a power play goal for McKendree on a pass from from Lestaric to get the Bearcats within two. Lestaric earned another helper on a pass to Ryan Sizer (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Moira Secondary School), who found the back of the net with one minute remaining in the second period to inch the Bearcats closer to the Lions lead. However, Lindenwood wasn't done scoring, the Lions added two more goals on deflections in the third period to win the game by a final score of 6-3.
 
Lestaric added one goal and two assists in the game for three points. He now has three goals and five assists for eight points in just six games this season. Sizer added one goal in the contest, to put his total at five goals and ten assists for 15 points this season. Donovan scored his first goal of the season in the game, for a total of one goal and two assists for three points.
 
The Bearcats hit the ice again this Friday and Saturday in Naperville, Ill. at All Seasons Ice Arena to take on the Aurora University Spartans. Puck drop on Friday is at 9:05 p.m. and at 7:55 p.m. on Saturday evening.