(CORAL RIDGE, Iowa, Nov. 15) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team dropped the first game of a two game series to Iowa by the score of 9-3 on Friday night.
 
The Bearcats dip to 4-6-1 overall and 2-6-1 in Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) play.
 
Iowa scored early and often, jumping out to a 5-0 lead before the Bearcats could get on the board. McKendree struck through three minutes into the second period with a goal from sophomore Cayden Brilley (Decatur, IL/St. Teresa). Brilley was assisted by junior Dalton Wolfe (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community High School). The Hawkeyes took an 8-1 lead into the final period.
 
Junior Christian Blandina (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville High School) scored his first goal on the penalty kill for a short-handed goal. Junior Tony Grasso (O'Fallon, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School) was credited with an assist. Blandina netted his second goal with just over a minute remaining in the game with help from juniors Adam Dempski (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell North HS) and Derek Northrop (St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School). Iowa scored a single goal in the period to secure a 9-3 win over the Bearcats.
 
The Bearcats will look for a split late tomorrow afternoon at 5:00pm.