CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Bearcat men's hockey team traveled to in-state rival the University of Illinois for a two-game set on Friday, November 10th and Saturday, November 11th. McKendree and the Illini split the set by identical scores of 3-2. The win on Friday was the first win over the University of Illinois since November 3, 2018.
Friday, November 10th
McKendree got the scoring started just three and a half minutes into the contest as Connor Mullins scored his first of the season, unassisted. After the rest of the opening stanza was quiet, Joe McCormick found the back of the net 90 seconds into the second period to give the Bearcats the 2-0 lead, with assists from Mullins and Tarcisius Tibishkogijig.
The University of Illinois scored the next two goals to tie the contest, including one on the power play with Trevor Voyda in the box for cross checking.
In the final frame, Noah Scrum scored his first of the year six minutes into the period for the game winner on assists from Matias Alexandrov and Mullins. This was Scrum's first career game winning goal in a Bearcat uniform.
Mullins recorded his 2nd career three-point night, with the other coming against Northern Illinois University on February 2, 2023.
Chad Purdy stopped 24 of the 26 Illinois shots to pick up his fifth win of the season.
Saturday, November 11th
The University of Illinois scored a power play goal late in the first period. They added two more goals in the middle frame to go up 3-0.
The Bearcats tried to mount a comeback in the final frame. Mullins got McKendree on the board three minutes in on the power play with the assist from Steven Brachert. Jack Harris made it a 3-2 game at the eleven minute mark on the assist from Alexandrov.
In the final frame, the Bearcats outshot the Illini 10-1 in their attempted comeback.
Adam Siek got the start in net and was credited with the loss.
McKendree returns home on Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th as they host the University of Mary.
