(EAST ALTON, Ill., Oct. 27) – Senior captain Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) continued his offensive brilliance by pouring in another hat trick in the dominating 10-2 win over the Cougars of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon.
 
After a back and forth battle, the game remained scoreless after the opening period. Sophomore Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) kicked off the scoring two minutes into the second period. Senior Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) and junior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) were credited with the helpers. The Cougars took their first lead of the series after scoring back to back goals. Junior Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) quickly tied the game up with the help of sophomore Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School) and Watt.
 
Sophomore Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd) gave McKendree the lead with passes from Wilson and Brennan. Wilson gave the Bearcats a cushion with his second goal of the game with assists from Naas and sophomore Ryan Reader (Granite City, IL/Granite City High School). Watt added his first of three with two minutes to go in the second period with the help from the lethal combination of Brennan and Wilson. McKendree led 5-2 after the second period.
 
Watt gained his second goal of the afternoon midway through the final period. Pluto netted his second goal of goal of the game with the help from Watt. Naas added to the Bearcat lead with passes from Wilson and junior Alec Nichols (Cedar Rapids, IA/Northern Iowa Bulls NA3HL). Almost exactly a minute later, Brennan lit the lamp for the ninth goal of the game. Watt capped off the hat trick with the help from his typical partners, Wilson and Brennan. McKendree went on to finish off the sweep with a 10-2 victory over the Cougars of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
 
With the win, the Bearcats advance to 7-3 on the season. They will return to the rink next weekend, November 2-3 as they head to Urbana-Champaign, Ill to face University of Illinois.