Warriors Open Season with Split at McKendree
O'FALLON, Ill. – Hockey season is upon us as Midland University opened up its 2023-24 campaign this weekend at McKendree University. The Warriors dropped their season-opener on Friday night, 8-4, but rebounded with a win, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon.
FRIDAY: McKendree 8, Midland 4
The Bearcats jumped out in front early with a goal 60 seconds into the opening period. Just over four minutes later they were up 2-0 as they scored on the powerplay at the 5:07 mark.
Midland's first goal of the season came off the stick of Tommy Wardas as the defensive duo of Cody Shearer and Jack Olson combined on the assist near the midway point of the first.
Just before the period horn sounded, McKendree netted its third goal of the game with six seconds on the clock.
Coming out of the locker room, the Warriors wasted no time at all getting back into the game. Eight seconds into it, Fletcher Chun found the back of the net as line-mate Jared Wisely and Zach Eddington assisted to make it a 3-2 game.
Just before the first minute expired, Wardas scored his second goal of the game. Shearer and newcomer Milan Breczko assisted on the game-tying goal at the 59-second mark.
McKendree came roaring back with two goals over the next seven-plus minutes to regain its lead.
With just under 10 minutes gone by in the second, Midland scored on the powerplay following a stoppage that saw five penalties issued, two for the Warriors and three for the Bearcats. Scoring on the man-advantage was Zak Justice. His first goal as a Warrior was assisted by Logan Wotton and Wardas at the 9:52 mark of the second.
Unfortunately for Midland, that would prove to be the final goal of the night for them. McKendree was able to net two more in the second and then added a shorthanded goal in the final period of play for the 8-4 victory.
The Bearcats held a 38 to 34 advantage in shots on the night. Liam Tereposky collected 30 saves in net during his first game as a Warrior.
SATURDAY: Midland 4, McKendree 0
With their first-game jitters behind them, the Warriors played a solid game on the second day of the season. Jack Olson got things going on the offensive side with a first-period goal. Fletcher Chun and Milan Breczko picked up assists on what would go on to be the game-winning goal at the 11:02 mark.
In second, with time winding down, Andrew Larsen notched his first collegiate goal. He found the back of the net with just under two minutes in the period.
Before the final intermission, Breczko went on the score sheet with his first goal as a Warrior. The transfer student scored on the powerplay off an assist from Jared Wisley with 54 seconds on the second-period clock.
Looking to preserve their shutout, the Warriors kept the pressure on the Bearcats. Just past the midway point of the period, Logan Wotton scored his first goal of the season as Breczko and Wisley found him while Midland was on its eighth powerplay of the game. That would be the final tally as Midland completed the 4-0 victory.
Getting the clean sheet win in net was Liam Tereposky. He earned his first win as a collegian while picking up 29 saves in net.
Midland (1-1) will take the ice one more time on their season-opening road trip. They'll make a stop in Chesterfield, Missouri to take on Maryville (3-1) on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop at the Maryville University Ice Hockey Center is set for 1:45 p.m.