(O'FALLON, Ill., Nov. 8) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team suffered a 6-3 loss to visiting Bradley University on Friday night at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
 
The Bearcats slip to 4-4-1 overall and 2-4-1 in Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) play.
 
McKendree scored first late in the opening period as junior Derek Northrop (St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School) beat the Brave goalie on the glove side. Juniors Adam Dempski (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell North HS) and Wolfgang Davis (Langdon, ND/Billings Bulls NA3HL) were credited with assists on the goal. After the opening 20 minutes, the Bearcats carried a 1-0 lead.
 
The Braves tied the game at one with just under nine minutes remaining in the second period. McKendree fought to take back the lead with one minute left in the period. Davis shot from just inside the blue line and found the back of the net. Davis was set up by junior Tony Grasso (O'Fallon, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School) and senior Trevor Rieck (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon Township High School). Heading into the final period, the Bearcats held a 2-1 lead over Bradley.
 
Once again, Bradley evened the score at two five minutes into the final frame. Three minutes later Dempski put the Bearcats ahead on the power play with help from Northrop and junior Garrett Poole (Columbia, IL/Columbia High School). The Braves countered back with four unanswered goals to take a 6-3 win over McKendree.
 
Freshman Adam Siek (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada/St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School) made 29/34 saves in the loss.
 
The Bearcats will look for a split tomorrow night at 5:00pm.