(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 3) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team has stretched its win streak to 13 after defeating the Illinois State Redbirds in a 9-0 shutout on Friday night.

The Bearcats brought home a big win on alumni night where McKendree honored the Bearcats from the past thirteen years of the hockey program with an Alumni ceremony. Tomorrow night the Bearcats will honor forward Ryan Sizer (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Picton Pirates EBJCHL) and defenseman Steve Csanyi (Belleville, Ontario, Canada/Picton Pirates EBJCHL) during senior night for their many accomplishments during their time wearing the purple and white.

The first goal of the game came from the stick sophomore forward Blair Davies (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada/Christ the King). He scored in the first 15 seconds of the game with assists coming from Kristjan Toivola (Bellingham, WA/Bellingham Blazers NPHL) and Josh Donovan (Ojai, CA/Channel Islands Riptide). Freshman forward Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) gave the Bearcats two goal lead ten minutes later on the power play with assists credited to Davies and Toivola . Naas rounded out the scoring in the first period with his second goal of the game. Sophomore forward Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) and Csanyi registered assists on the goal.

The second period brought a Bearcat dominated period with Lestaric scoring the only goal of the period with assists coming from freshman forward Levi Armstrong (Urbana, IL/Peoria Mustangs NA3HL) and Csanyi. Sophomore goalkeeper Best had a perfect save percentage throughout the first two periods of play stopping all 9 of the Redbirds' shots as Bearcats were in control of the puck for majority of the game.

The Bearcats wrapped up the final twenty minutes continuing to dominate play against the Redbirds. Five goals came from the Bearcats throughout the third period. Naas earned the hattrick and Toivola found the back of the net in the first ten minutes of the period and each were credited with two assists in the third. Davies scored and was credited for the second assist on Naas' goal. Nick Gay (Pinedale, WY/Tri City Outlaws) picked up an assist from Toivola's goal and Lestaric from Sizer's second goal. Armstrong picked up two first assists from both of Sizer's goal. Sizer rounded out the scoring for the third period with two goals, one with 3:47 remaining in the third and the other with only 30 seconds remaining in the third period. The Bearcats took home a 9-0 victory over the Redbirds.

In goal was Best for the entirety of the game. Best saved all of the Redbird's 15 shots on goal for a perfect 1.000 save percentage, earning his first shutout of the season.

The Bearcats and Redbirds will take the ice tomorrow at 12 p.m. in the McKendree Metro Rec Plex for the conclusion of their two game series as well as the Bearcats final regular season game.