(ADRIAN, Mich., Jan. 17) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team took down the Bulldogs from Adrian College 5-1 late Thursday night.
 
McKendree advances to 17-5-1 overall on the season.
 
The Bearcats fell behind early as the Bulldogs netted the first goal of the game just five minutes into the opening period. With three minutes left in the period, junior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) knotted the game at one apiece with help from senior Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) and junior Alec Nichols (Cedar Rapids, IA/Northern Iowa Bulls NA3HL). The game would head into the first intermission tied at one.
 
Shortly into the second period, Lestaric pushed McKendree ahead with his second point of the game following an assist from sophomore Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd). Naas extended the lead with his second goal of the game midway through the period as Lestaric added his second assist. Sophomore Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) jumped into the scoring column with a goal late in the second period as he caught a pass from fellow sophomore Ryan Reader (Granite City, IL/Granite City High School). The Bearcats headed into the final period carrying a 4-1 lead.
 
Junior Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) capped off the scoring for McKendree, adding the fourth unanswered goal to give the Bearcats a 5-1 lead. Sophomore Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School) was credited with the helper. The score would hold as McKendree defeated the Bulldogs 5-1 in the first of a two game set.
 
Senior Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A team) stopped 27/28 shots, good for a .964 save percentage.
 
McKendree will look for the sweep of Adrian Saturday afternoon at 2:30p.m. E.T.