(SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Jan. 31) – The McKendree University D1 men's hockey team dropped the opening game of a two-game series to Missouri State by the score of 6-2. The Bearcats will look for a split tomorrow night at 7:00pm.
 
With the loss, McKendree moves to 12-3 overall on the season.
 
Missouri State jumped after to a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes of action in the opening period. While on the power-play, senior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) cut into the Ice Bear lead with help from junior Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) and Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS). Missouri State scored a late goal in the period to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
 
The Ice Bears pushed the lead to three eight minutes into the second period. Junior Daniel Nordlander (Göteborg, Sweden/Wasaskolan Tingsryd) answered back with four minutes remaining to keep the deficit at two heading into the final period of play.
 
Missouri State added two additional goals in the third period to take a 6-2 victory over the Bearcats.