(O'FALLON, Ill., Oct. 25) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team opened up a home and home series with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. The visiting Cougars scored with 41 seconds left in the third period to edge out the Bearcats, 3-2.
 
The Bearcats fall to 4-2-1 overall on the season and 2-2-1 in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).
 
 After back and forth play to begin the opening period, the Cougars broke through first with a goal midway through the period. McKendree tied it at one when junior Derek Northrop (St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School) set up junior Adam Dempski (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell North HS) in front of the net. Junior Garrett Poole (Columbia, IL/Columbia High School) was also awarded an assist on the goal. The game was knotted at one after the opening session.
 
With four minutes remaining in the second period, Southern Illinois took the lead off a Bearcat turnover. The Cougars carried a 2-1 lead into the final period of play.
 
Freshman Noah Scrum (Maryville, IL/Collinsville High School) tied the game on a power-play goal with two minutes left in the third period. Junior Nick Nelson (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell High School) caught a pass from sophomore Logan Bielecke (Glen Carbon, IL) and shot it towards Scrum who buried it in the back of the net. The Cougars answered right back, taking the lead with 41 seconds remaining to capture a 3-2 victory over McKendree.
 
Freshman Adam Siek (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada/St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School) made 32/35 saves in the loss.
 
The Bearcats will be back at it tomorrow night at 8:30pm as they look for a split with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.