CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - McKendree University men's hockey (7-11, 5-5 MCH) fell in both road contests this past weekend against the Illini, dropping the Friday contest, 5-2, and the Saturday outing, 4-3. The Bearcats upcoming games against the Crimson Tide of Alabama have been cancelled, pushing the next McKendree men's hockey games to January 28 and 29 at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex against Midland University.

Game 1 | Friday, January 13
The Bearcats offense went to work quickly, firing a pair of goals in the first period to lead 2-0 over the host, Illinois. In the fourth minute, junior wing Steven Brachert fired his third score of the year off a dishout by freshman forward Rycol Davis. Following up the first goal was junior forward Karsten Portell in the latter moments of the sixth minute, firing his own off assists by freshman forward Jonathan Davenport and senior defender Ryan Radke. McKendree led 2-0 at the final first period horn. 

Illinois came back with one score in teh second period and then followed it up with four in the third period to take the game, 5-2. 

Freshman goaltender Dylan Dallaire received the loss in the net, grabbing 30 saves on the day. 

Scoring Recap
P1 | #81 Steven Brachert (3) via #71 Rycol Davis (6)
P1 | #17 Karsten Portell (5) via #3 Jonathan Davenport (1), #14 Ryan Radke (9)

Game 2 | Saturday, January 14
McKendree kicked off game two of the weekend in a similar, quick-paced fashion as freshman forward Cade Rosansky scored in the 17th minute of the first period. Rosansky was assisted on the score by the junior Portell and freshman forward Joe McCormick. 

Illinois struck back in the early minutes of the second period to tie the game on a power play. Senior defender Connor Mullins put McKendree back on top, 2-1, with his first goal of the year in the fourth minute. Mullins got the dish-off from Davis. Illinois locked the game back at two goals a piece with another score in the second period. 

The Bearcats regained the lead as Brachert fired a goal at minute eight of the third period. Brachert was assisted on the play by Davis, his third assist of the weekend, and junior forward Brad Richardson. McKendree led 3-2 following the Brachert score.

Illinois came back with a pair of scores in the third to take game and weekend sweep. 

Sophomore goaltender Chad Purdy held net in the outing, netting 39 saves. 

Scoring Recap
P1 | #16 Cade Rosansky(3)  via #17 Karsten Portell (5), #23 Joe McCormick (6)
P2 | #77 Connor Mullins (1) via #71 Rycol Davis (7)
P3 | #81 Steven Brachert (4) via #71 Rycol Davis (8), #21 Brad Richardson (6)

UP NEXT
McKendree men's hockey will be back on the ice at home against Midland on January 28 and 29. 

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