(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 4) – The McKendree University men's D3 hockey team demonstrated offensive prowess on Friday night at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex, defeating Bradley University by a score of 14-2.
 
McKendree moves to 6-1 with Friday night's win. The Bearcats had nine different goal scorers in the game, proving a balanced offense.
 
The Braves were able to keep the game close in the first period, netting a goal, but the Bearcats scored twice in the first frame and never looked back. The first period saw goals from freshman forwards Christian Blandina and Zack Miceli. At the close of the first McKendree led Bradley 2-1.
 
The Bearcats turned up the intensity in the second period, notching six goals to the Braves lone tally. McKendree scored early and often in the period, including a marker just 31 seconds in by freshman defenseman Riley Brown. Blandina found the back of the net three times in the second period to give him four goals on the day. McKendree also received goals from freshman forward Dalton Wolfe and graduate student forward Brett Maggio. At the close of the second period McKendree led 8-2.
 
McKendree didn't hold back in the third period, firing another six goals past the Bradley netminders. Freshman forward Derek Northrop lit the lamp twice in the final frame, along with goals from senior defenseman Nick Brendel, freshman forwards Adam Dempski and Garrett Poole, as well as another from Brown. The Bearcats took home the 14-2 victory, peppering the Braves goal with 71 shots in the contest.
 
Junior goaltender Zach Allen got the nod to start between the pipes for McKendree stopping 15 of 17 shots on goal. Blandina and Dempski each notched five points in the contest. Blandina netted four goals and added one assist, Dempski lit the lamp once and tacked on four assists. For highlights of the game, check out the video below!
 
The Bearcats face-off against the Braves again on Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.