POST GAME INTERVIEW

(O'Fallon, Ill., Sept. 28) – The McKendree University D2 men's hockey team was powered behind junior Tyler Wilson's (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) first collegiate hat trick in a 5-4 shootout victory. A physical game from start to finish, the Bearcats edged the Aquinas Saints in a shootout after a five minute overtime period Friday evening at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
 
Aquinas College got on the board first with a goal midway through the opening period. Freshman goalie Wes Werner (LaSalle, Ontario, Canada/Sandwich Secondary School) stonewalled 15 opposing shots in the first period but the Bearcats would trail 1-0.
 
McKendree would tie it up five minutes into the second period on a goal by Wilson with assists from sophomores Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School) and Ryan Reader (Granite City, IL/Granite City High School). Just minutes later, sophomore Christian Blandina gave the Bearcats the lead off a one-timer from senior Blair Davies (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada/Christ the King). The Saints would tie the game at 2-2 just seconds later. The Saints would score another and head into the final period with a 3-2 lead.
 
Wilson tied the game with his second goal of the night with passes from junior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) and Brennan. The Bearcats would later take the lead on Wilson's third goal of the game off assists from Brennan and sophomore Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd). Aquinas would tie the game in the final minutes to send the game into overtime.
 
McKendree came inches away from ending the game after hitting the post multiple times in the five minute overtime period. The overtime period wouldn't be enough as the game would head into a shootout. The third and final shooter, Brennan, would put one past the Saints netminder to push McKendree to a 5-4 lead.
 
The Bearcats return to the ice Saturday afternoon at 4:30 as they once again, host Aquinas College at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.