(O'FALLON, Ill., Sept. 21) – The McKendree University men's D2 hockey team captured a 4-1 win over the visiting Saint Louis University Billikens on Saturday night. The Bearcats answered with three unanswered goals to seal the victory.
 
The Bearcats start the season 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Conference (MACHA).
 
The Bearcats came out quickly, as junior Garrett Poole (Columbia, IL/Columbia High School) scored just over a minute into the game with assists from junior line mate Derek Northrop (St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit High School). The Billikens countered back quickly, tying the game at one just two minutes later. The game remained knotted at one after the opening 20 minutes of play.
 
The game-winning goal was scored on a breakaway by junior Adam Dempski (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell North HS) as he connected with Northrop and Poole with five minutes remaining in the second period. On another breakaway, junior Dalton Wolfe (Pekin, IL/Pekin Community High School) shot high past opposing netminder to give McKendree a 3-1 lead.
 
With under a minute left to go in the final period, Northrop sealed the win with an empty net goal.
 
Freshman goalie Mason Young (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville High School) was spectacular in his collegiate debut, making 41/42 saves in the win.
 
The Bearcats will take a two week hiatus before returning at home on Oct. 11 as they host the University of Illinois for a two game series.