(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 3) – The McKendree University D3 men's hockey team defeated Washington University-St. Louis by a final score of 4-2 in their home opener on Friday night.

The team picked up their fourth win of the season and is now 4-11 overall. They will be back on the ice tomorrow at the Metro Rec Plex at 7 p.m. to wrap up their final regular season series and honor defensemen Aaron Rogers (Troy, IL/Triad HS), Zach Loehr (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville HS), and senior goaltender Chris Stier for their many accomplishments while wearing purple and white.

The Bearcats started off the first period with freshman forward Cole Fluchel (Wildwood, MO/Eureka HS) scoring with assists credited to freshman forward Trevor Rieck (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon Township HS) and junior forward Garrett Kellam (St. Joseph, MO/Central). Sophomore goalkeeper Zachary Allen (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny) saved 11 of 11 shots on goal in the first period holding the Bears 1-0 before the buzzer.

The second period started with a goal from freshman defender Nathan Gaterman (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh HS) in the first two minutes of the period. The lone assist was credited to freshman forward Brendan Kelly (Arnold, MO/Lutheran South HS). The Redbirds were unable to best McKendree's lines as they continued to be shut out.

The Bearcats wrapped up the third period a hard fought period with two more goals. The Bears scored their only goal in the third period just under the seven minute mark. Then the Bearcats answered back with Kelly scoring on a pass from Rieck. Junior forward Ethan Gremminger (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North) scored unassisted within a minute of each other. The game turned physical and the Bearcats were forced to play with only three guys for the final minute and a half of the game. Allen finished the game with 30 of 32 shots on goal saved for a .937 save percentage.

McKendree is back in action again against Washington University-St. Louis on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex for McKendree senior night.