(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 10) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team defeated Bradley University 6-0 on Military Appreciation Night at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex on Friday night.
The Bearcats improve to 13-3, and extend their winning streak to eight games and their shutout streak to 170 minutes. McKendree improves to 10-1 in the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Gold Division play. In the most recent American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) D2 rankings McKendree holds the top spot in the Central Region.
The first period was all Bearcats as McKendree fired 14 shots on goal while holding Bradley to just two. Sophomore forward
Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) opened up the scoring in the game to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. Sophomore forward Tyler Wilson and freshman defenseman Daniel Nordlander each recorded assists on the goal. Freshman forward Connor Brennan lit the lamp next, with Wilson and Naas adding assists on the goal. Wilson capped off the scoring in the first period, with Naas and Brennan notching assists. McKendree held a 3-0 lead after the first period. Both sides were held scoreless in the second frame, as McKendree fired off 17 shots and Bradley took nine shots in the period.
The Bearcats came out strong in the third period, scoring another three goals. Junior defenseman
Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) has become a staple on the Bearcats offense, netting his tenth goal of the season just three minutes into the third period. Watt's goal was assisted by junior forward
Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) and freshman defenseman Aleks Ivasenko. Freshman defenseman Cole Dezainde extended the McKendree lead to five goals with his first career collegiate goal. Assists on Dezainde's goal came from Watt and Lestaric. Lestaric capped off the scoring in the game on a pass from Nordlander, to put the icing on the cake and give the Bearcats the 6-0 victory.
Junior goaltender
Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A team) got the start for the Bearcats turning aside all 19 shots on goal for his second shutout of the season. Naas, Wilson, and Lestaric each had three points in the game notching one goal and two assists. Watt and Brennan posted two point nights with one goal and one assist each, and Dezainde netted his first career collegiate goal in the contest. Watch the video below for highlights from tonight's game!
The Bearcats and the Braves hit the ice again on Saturday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
