(O'FALLON, Ill., Oct. 26) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team took full advantage of power play opportunities to come out victorious Friday night against Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Senior Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) recorded his first hat trick of the season in the 5-2 win over the local opponent.
 
Watt jumped on the score sheet early as he lit the lamp just two minutes into the game. Sophomore Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School) and junior Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) were credited with the assists. The Bearcats took an early 2-0 lead after sophomore Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) put away his first of the game with juniors Alec Nichols (Cedar Rapids, IA/Northern Iowa Bulls NA3HL) and Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) being credited with the assists. Watt found a loose puck in front of the net to score a power play goal as McKendree would lead 3-0. The Cougars added in a late goal but the Bearcats would lead 3-1 heading into the first intermission.
 
Midway through the second period, hats filled the ice as Watt completed his hat trick with the same connection of Brennan and Wilson. McKendree went into the final period with a 4-1 lead.
 
The Cougars cut into the Bearcat lead with a minute just before the midpoint of the period. Naas put away an empty net goal to finish off the Cougars and McKendree went on to win 5-2.
 
Between the pipes, senior Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A team) turned away 36 shots to record a .947 save percentage.
 
The D2 hockey team will look for a sweep of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon at 3:00p.m. in East Alton, Ill.