(NAPERVILLE, Ill., Oct. 22) – The McKendree University D2 men's hockey team fell to Aurora University this weekend at All Seasons Ice Arena in Naperville, Ill. The Bearcats fall to 5-3 overall and will return to the ice October 28 and 29 for a pair of games against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on the road in East Alton.

GAME ONE:
The Bearcats opened the scoring early in the first period on a tally from sophomore forward Kristjan Toivola (Bellingham, WA/Bellingham Blazers (NPHL)). Aurora responded with two goals of their own to take a 2-1 lead over McKendree. However, freshman Michael Weedman (O'Fallon, MO/Ft. Zumwalt North HS) netted a goal of his own to tie it up. McKendree took back the lead with 3:56 left in the first period on a goal from senior Ryan Sizer (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Moira Secondary School). Aurora answered back quickly, however, to tie the game up 3-3. The Bearcats found the back of the net with just 13.2 seconds left in the first period on a goal from freshman forward Levi Armstrong (Urbana, IL/Urbana HS) to put the Bearcats ahead 4-3. The second period was all Aurora, scoring four goals to take a 7-4 lead over McKendree. Both teams were scoreless in the third period, with Aurora coming out on top by a final score of 7-4.

GAME TWO:
Aurora dominated the first period of play as well as the beginning of the second period leading the Bearcats 3-0. This was before Toivola put McKendree on the scoreboard with a power play goal. Sizer added to the score with a late goal in the fourth minute of the second period. This was not enough to top Aurora as they scored in the final seconds of the second period leading 4-2 going in the break. The Bearcats held Aurora through the third period until Aurora added one with an empty net in the final minute of play. This play ended the game 5-2 in favor of Aurora.