(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 12) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team is set to gear up for its first matchups against an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D1 opponent. The Bearcats are set to face off against the University of Illinois D1 team on Friday and Saturday, with both games beginning at 7 p.m. at UI Ice Arena in Champaign, Ill.
 
The Bearcats are 5-1 overall on the season, after completing the sweep of Mizzou with two road wins. The University of Illinois D1 squad has an overall record of 6-0 on the season. McKendree will be looking to snap the Fighting Illini's win streak and grab the program's first ACHA D1 win. The University of Illinois will live stream the game free HERE. Fans can also tune into WPGU 107.1 FM or WPGU.com to listen live.
 
Leading the scoring charge for the Bearcats this season has been sophomore forward Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) with 14 points, six goals and eight assists, in just six games. Sophomore forward Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) has netted three goals and notched nine assists for 12 points through the first six contests. Junior forward Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) has found the back of the net for three goals this season and added eight assists for 11 points. Freshman defenseman Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd) leads the Bearcats defenseman in scoring, registering two goals and three assists for five points.
 
Guarding the cage for McKendree this season has been junior goaltender Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A team) and senior goaltender Trevor Klostermann (Highland, IL/Highland HS). Best has a record of 3-1 with one shutout and a save percentage of 0.933. Klostermann has a record of 2-0 with a goals-against average of 1.82 and a save percentage of 0.936.