(O'FALLON, Ill., Nov. 9) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team took full advantage of the power play as they scored goals on all three man-up opportunities. The Bearcats shutout the Hawkeyes of the University of Iowa 5-0 on Friday night.
 
The Bearcats advance to 10-3 overall on the season with the win.
 
McKendree jumped out to an early lead when sophomore Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School) fed senior Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) in front of the net for a one-timer power play goal. The Bearcat defense stepped up allowing only five shots in the period with freshman Wes Werner (LaSalle, Ontario, Canada/Sandwich Secondary School) stopping them all.
 
Once again on the power play, sophomore Cole Dezainde (Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada/Assumption College) buried the Bearcats second power play goal of the game. Junior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) and sophomore Ryan Reader (Granite City, IL/Granite City High School) were credited with the helpers. Sophomore Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) got into the scoring column as he deflected a shot from Naas past the Hawkeye goaltender.
 
Pluto sent a pass to senior Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) who hammered home a power play goal, the Bearcats third of the night. Pluto and Reader received the assists on the goal. Reader notched his third assist of the night as he set up Brennan who was open in front of the net for McKendree's fifth goal.
 
Werner captured his third shutout of the season as he blocked all 22 Hawkeye shots he faced on the night.
 
The Bearcats will look for a sweep on Saturday afternoon, as they return to the McKendree Metro Rec Plex for a 4:30p.m. puck drop.