(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 4) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team defeated Iowa State University 5-4 in overtime on senior day at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex on Saturday.
 
The Bearcats move to 21-5 on the season, after splitting the series with Iowa State. The overtime victory sealed the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Gold Division title for McKendree.
 
The Cylcones opened the scoring in the contest to jump out to a 1-0 lead, however, junior defenseman Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) lit the lamp on the power play just over a minute later. McKendree took the lead on a marker by sophomore forward Michael Weedman (O'Fallon, MO/St. Peters Spirit) with sophomore forward Tyler Wilson grabbing an assist. Iowa State tied the game at two a side with 4:35 remaining in the first period, but sophomore forward Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) regained the lead for the Bearcats with 1:19 left in the period. The first period closed with McKendree leading 3-2 over Iowa State.
 
Sophomore defenseman Alec Nichols (Cedar Rapids, IA/Northern Iowa Bulls NA3HL) scored the lone goal of the second period, to extend the Bearcats lead to two goals. Iowa State bounced back in the third period with two back to back goals inside the final five minutes to force overtime. However, freshman forward Connor Brennan ended the game with the overtime game winner to give McKendree the 5-4 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
 
The Bearcats are back in action for MACHA Gold Division post-season play on February 9-10 in Webster Groves, Mo.