From The Vidette
By Gracie Sage
Illinois State Division I club hockey hosted McKendree for its first home game of the season. By the time the final buzzer rang, the Redbirds eagerly celebrated with a 3-1 victory at Bloomington Ice Center.
Early in the first period, Hunter O’Neal gave the Redbirds a head start with a goal. With 15:05 still left in the period, the McKendree Bearcats were fired up to answer back and get on the board. Five minutes into the first period, they were already down by one.
The early goal was not the only action happening on the ice. Jacob Swiatek of the Redbirds and Brandon Spilchen of the Bearcats got into a bit of a scuffle on the ice, forcing both into the penalty box for two minutes for roughing.
By the end of the period, McKendree had 15 shots on goal to Illinois State’s 10.
Just like the first period, the second was moving just as fast. The starting goalie for the Bearcats, Kevin Pearson, had a big glove save that took away a chance at another goal for the Redbirds.
Logan Wright caught a penalty in the second for holding, resulting in two minutes in the penalty box. While there, McKendree scored their first and only goal of the night, courtesy of Tanner Bettis.
Near the end of the second period, Pavel Bakhtin hit the boards hard, ending up on the ice. The game continued for a few seconds while he lay on the ice before the medical staff could attend to him. Bakhtin exited the game with a left leg injury.
With one period left and a score of 1-1, 20 minutes remained.
In less than two minutes, they reclaimed the lead over McKendree with a goal from Connor O’Neal. Sitting with a score of 2-1, there was still a lot of hockey left to play.
Several glove saves were made by both starting goalies. While the frustration was building from McKendree, time left in the period ticked down.
Illinois State scored yet again in the third period, this time with only 33 seconds left in regulation, securing the win.
“We’re starting to kind of find our stride a little bit, and I would expect us to continue to find ways to win,” head coach Chris Prewitt said.
Illinois State hockey is 2-4 and eighth in its division.
(Originally published at https://www.videtteonline.com/sports/redbirds-claim-first-home-victory-over-bearcats/article_202ac81f-0a67-4940-b865-1f849eef8e68.html)
