(O'FALLON, Ill., Sept. 13) – For the third consecutive year, the McKendree University hockey team opened their season up with an exhibition game on Friday at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex with the St. Louis Blues Alumni. The Bearcats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and hung on to win 7-6.
 
With former Blues Andy McDonald, Reed Low, Jim Campbell, Darin Kimble, and Mike Zuke on the ice, McKendree was able to push across three goals in the opening period.
 
Senior Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) wasted no time as he scored an unassisted goal just over a minute into the opening period. With just under four minutes remaining, junior Michael Weedman (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North High School) found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from freshman Connor Mullins (Whitby, Ontario, Canada/Donald A. Wilson Secondary School). Shortly after, senior Nick Gay (Pinedale, WY) found a pass from sophomore Nikita Sokov (Pervourlask, Russia/School #15) and put it past the Blues Alumni netminder.
 
The Blues Alumni squad found their offensive rhythm in the second period, outscoring the Bearcats three to two in the second period. Freshman Oscar Andersson (Stockholm, Sweden/Vasa Real) and Gay pushed the lead to 5-0 before the Blues Alumni answered back with three unanswered goals. After two periods of action, McKendree carried a 5-3 lead.
 
After the Blues Alumni moved within one of the lead, senior Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) lit the lamp to push the lead back to two. Once again answering back to get within one, junior Jacob Scrum (Maryville, IL/Collinsville High School) sent a stretch pass to Sokov who scored a breakaway goal to extend the lead back to two. With under a minute remaining the Blues Alumni crawled back within a goal of the lead. The Bearcats would hang on to secure the 7-6 victory, their first after losing the prior two years.
 
The McKendree men's D1 hockey team will open up their season on the road in East Alton as they play SIU-Edwardsville in a two game series.
 
The Bearcats will wait a month until their home opener on Oct. 16 against Maryville University.