(LEBANON, Ill., Dec. 1) – The McKendree University men's D3 hockey team defeated Bradley University 8-2 with a flurry of third period goals on Friday night.
 
The Bearcats improve to 9-2 on the season, with the team's third straight victory over Bradley this season. McKendree struck first with the only goal of the first period on a shot from freshman forward Adam Dempski. Senior defenseman Ethan Gremminger extended the Bearcats' lead to 2-0 with his goal at the 16:35 mark. The Braves fought back with two unanswered goals to even up the game at two a side before the end of the second period.
 
McKendree came out strong in the third period, holding Bradley to zero shots. Gremminger broke the tie just 11 seconds into the third period on an unassisted effort, for his second goal of the game. Dempski netted his second of the game to add an insurance goal for the Bearcats. Sophomore defenseman Riley Brown lit the lamp for his first goal of the game, with 13:32 left to play giving McKendree the 5-2 lead. Blandina added to the lead with 11:04 left in the game, with freshman forward Dalton Wolfe, and senior defenseman Nick Brendel notching assists. Brown went on to finish the third period hat trick with two more goals, including one on the power play. The Bearcats surged for six goals in the third period to take the 8-2 victory over the Braves.
 
Junior goaltender Zach Allen started between the pipes for the Bearcats, turning aside 10 of 12 shots in the contest. The Bearcats had nine players with multi-point games, including two players with three points. Brown scored three goals in the game for three points, and Brendel registered three assists for three points on the night.
 
The two teams face off again at 4:45 p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex after the women's hockey game at 2 p.m.