Midland Splits Weekend Series With McKendree in Overtime Thriller and Bounce-Back Win

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted McKendree University for a weekend two-game series. The Warriors fell to the Bearcats 3-2 in overtime on Friday night but bounced back Saturday with a 5-4 victory.

Friday: McKendree 3, Midland 2, OT

The Warriors opened the game with an early power-play goal by Karl Grafelman, assisted by Thomas Babb, at the 3:08 mark of the first period to take a 1-0 lead. McKendree tied it at 1-1 with a goal at 13:34.

McKendree struck again early in the second period with an unassisted goal at 4:45 to go up 2-1. Midland responded as Ethan Brown scored an unassisted goal at 11:09 to even the score at 2-2.

A scoreless third period sent the game to overtime, where McKendree netted the game-winner at 3:28, handing Midland a tough 3-2 loss.

Midland outshot McKendree 54-27. Goaltender Elijah Marchese played the full 63:28, making 24 saves.

Saturday: Midland 6, McKendree 4

The Warriors struck first with a power-play goal by Leo Milan, assisted by Hugo Lukacovic and Jared Wisely, at 8:49 of the first period to take a 1-0 lead. The Bearcats answered late in the period with goals at 16:11 and 18:16 to head into the intermission with a 2-1 advantage.

McKendree extended its lead to 3-1 with a goal at 5:30 of the second period. Midland responded with two power-play goals: Karl Grafelman scored at 10:45, assisted by Wisely and Liam Tereposky, and Thomas Babb tied the game at 18:21, assisted by Wisely and Isaac Hood. The teams entered the third period tied 3-3.

Midland carried the momentum into the final frame. Lukacovic gave the Warriors the lead just 29 seconds in, assisted by Lasse Richert and Jack Olson. Less than 30 seconds later, Babb netted his second goal of the night at 0:57, with assists from Grafelman and Hudson Dilworth, extending the lead to 5-3.

McKendree cut the deficit to 5-4 with a goal at 3:51, but Midland sealed the win with a goal at 19:20 by Wisely, assisted by John Dube.

Shots were even at 34-34. Goaltender Liam Tereposky played the full 60 minutes, making 30 saves.

Midland (2-6) will take a break before hosting Minot State (4-1) for a weekend series Oct. 24 and 25. Both games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. puck drop at Sidner Ice Arena in Fremont, Nebraska.