(WENTZVILLE, Mo., Jan. 30) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team closed the season series with Lindenwood University on Wednesday night, falling 5-3 to the Lions on the road.
 
The Bearcats fall to 21-5-1 overall on the season.
 
After back and forth action to start the opening period, the host Lions went ahead 1-0 midway through the first 20 minutes. Just two minutes later, sophomore Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd) knotted the game at one, registering an unassisted goal. Shortly before the end of the period, Lindenwood regained the lead heading into the first intermission.
 
Four minutes into the second period, senior Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) evened the contest with an assist from junior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL). The Lions would net back to back goals to take a 4-2 lead into the final period.
 
Lindenwood added to their lead with six minutes left in the third period to go ahead three. With under a minute, sophomore Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) cut into the lead with an unassisted goal but McKendree would ultimately fall by the score of 5-3.
 
The Bearcats will be back on the ice on Feb. 8-9 to close out the regular season with two road games against Maryville University.