(SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 15) – The McKendree University men's D3 hockey team opened the first round of the Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Silver division tournament with a 7-6 loss to Creighton University on Friday night.
 
The Bearcats fall to 9-12 overall on the season.
 
Senior Nick Brendel (Fenton, MO/Fox High School) kicked off the scoring for the Bearcats in the first period with a pass from freshman Cayden Brilley (Decatur, IL). Brendel recorded the only goal for McKendree in the opening period.
 
Exactly one minute into the second period, junior Dmytro Golovko (Kiev, Ukraine/Nashua Christian Academy) found the back of the net for the Bearcats only goal of the period. Brilley was credited with his second assist of the contest.
 
Six minutes into the final period, sophomore Christian Blandina (Glen Carbon, IL/Edwardsville High School) lit the lamp for McKendree's third goal. Brilley was given his third assist of the evening. Golovko scored his second goal of the night with nine minutes left in the third period with help from senior Ethan Gremminger (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North High School) and junior Nick Gay (Pinedale, WY/Tri City Outlaws). Not even a minute later, Gremminger found the back of the net for his first of the night. Sophomore Nick Nelson (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell High School) and Gay were credited with assists. With four minutes left in the game, sophomore Derek Northrop (St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School) netted his first of the contest with passes from sophomore Garrett Poole (Columbia, IL/Columbia High School) and Gremminger.
 
The Bearcats were ultimately defeated by Creighton, 7-6.