O'Fallon, Ill. - McKendree University DI men's hockey fell just short of a huge comeback on Friday night, scoring twice in the final period to cut Missouri State's lead to one goal but failed to capture a tying score. McKendree will look to recoup the loss in the second matchup with the Bears on Saturday afternoon. 

The Bearcats and Bears opened up the match neck-and-neck, and McKendree kept it level with the 12-4 Missouri State Bears, preventing any scores over the first 20 minutes of action. McKendree also added eight shots on goal while Missouri State collected 12. The first period concluded with a score of zero to zero. 

Period number two began with two quick goals by Missouri State, putting the Bears up 2-0 over the hosting-Bearcats, scoring in the fifth and seventh minutes. . McKendree broke the scoreless night behind a goal from junior forward Noah Scrum at the nine minute mark of the second period. The score was assisted on by fellow junior forward Chris Noble and cut the deficit to just one goal for the Bearcats. Missouri State's attack was highlighted by a massive number of shots with 21, bringing its game total to 33 while McKendree fired just five in the period. Missouri State added two more goals in the period, to push the lead to three scores by the 12th minute of the second period. 

The third and final period of the night featured two goals by the Bearcats, which narrowed the lead of the visiting Bears to a singular goal with more than five minutes remaining. McKendree's second goal was fired by sophomore center Reilly DeGray in the sixth minute, igniting the Bearcats for the comeback. DeGray's score was assisted on by sophomore forward Lucas Brown and graduate forward Nick Nelson. The Bearcats then pushed for a second score in the third period in the 15th minute by the forward Nelson, which was dished-out by sophomore forward Karsten Portell. 

Overall in the contest, the Bears out-shot the Bearcats 39-25 in on-frame shots but McKendree played efficiency in its favor. 

UP NEXT:
McKendree DI men's hockey will return to the ice on Saturday afternoon at 12:30 P.M. for its second contest with Missouri State on the weekend.
 
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