(SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 16) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team faced off against the University of Iowa in the semi-finals of the Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Gold division tournament in Springfield on Saturday night. The Bearcats shutout the Hawkeyes in a 4-0 victory.
 
The Bearcats advance to 24-5-1 overall on the season.
 
After 18 minutes of play in the first period, the Bearcats broke through with a goal from junior Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) with assists from freshman Otasowie Omoregie (Pickering, Ontario, Canada) and sophomore Connor Brennan (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit High School). McKendree carried a 1-0 lead over Iowa into the first intermission.
 
Shortly into the second period, Brennan extended the lead to two with help from sophomores Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) and Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd). 11 minutes later, Nordlander pushed the lead to three on his first goal of the game. Freshman goalie Wes Werner (LaSalle, Ontario, Canada/Sandwich Secondary School) was credited with an assist. After two period, the Bearcats led 2-0.
 
Brennan recorded his second goal of the contest nine minutes into the third period to put McKendree up 4-0. Wilson and Pluto were credited with assists. The Bearcat defense held up and shutout Iowa in a 4-0 victory.
 
The Bearcats will play the championship on Sunday afternoon at 2:00p.m. in Springfield, Ill.