(O'FALLON, Ill., Feb. 28) – The McKendree University men's D1 hockey team dropped a 5-4 contest in overtime to visiting Illinois State on Friday night at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
 
The Bearcats fall to 17-5-1 overall and 15-3-1 in Midwest College Hockey (MCH) action. McKendree will look to avenge its loss tomorrow night at 7:00pm.
 
Illinois State struck first just past the midway point of the opening period with a power-play goal. 29 seconds later, senior Dominic Naas (Neurensdorf, Zurich, Switzerland/Casper Coyotes WSHL) answered right back off a rebound to even the game at one. Lazar Lestaric (Belgrade, Serbia/National Sports Academy USHS) and junior Ryan Reader (Granite City, IL/Granite City High School) were credited with the assists. After one period of play, the two teams remained tied at one.
 
Freshman Ryan Radke (Cave Creek, AZ/Cactus Shadows High School) registered his first goal of the season 58 seconds into the period as the Redbird goalie was caught out of the crease, leaving a wide open net. Lestaric and Naas were given assists on the goal. Three minutes later, junior Shayne Pluto (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Central Memorial High School) tipped a Radke shot past the opposing netminder to increase the Bearcat lead to two. Ty Watt (Barrie, Ontario, Canada/Rama Aces GMHL) was also credited with an assist on the goal.
 
The Redbirds responded with two consecutive goals to knot the score at three apiece. With 12 minutes remaining in the middle period, senior Tyler Wilson (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada/) put McKendree back ahead off a centering pass from Watt. Pluto was credited with a helper on the goal. After two periods of action, the Bearcats held a 4-3 lead heading into the final intermission.
 
With just under nine minutes remaining in the final period, Illinois State scored an unassisted goal to pull even with the Bearcats at four. Neither team could find the back of the net for the remaining eight minutes, pushing the game to an overtime session.
 
Illinois State scored the game-winning goal with 27 seconds remaining in overtime to register a 5-4 victory over the Bearcats.
 
Andrew Best (Midland, Ontario, Canada/Cambridge Bears Junior A team) made 23/28 saves in the loss.