BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Grossinger Motors Arena) -- After a Friday night loss to Missouri State University, the Illinois State University ACHA Division I hockey team was out for revenge on Saturday afternoon.

Neither team was willing to give the other an edge up for the first six and a half minutes as the first period started off uneventful. The stalemate was finally broken by freshman Conner Boscaccy as he was able to capitalize off a play made by Robert Kalata. Despite a 1-0 lead for the Birds, the Bears didn’t back down. With four minutes left in the period the Bears tied that game up at 1-1.

The Birds did receive a penalty late in the first but Missouri State was unrelenting in clearing it, leaving the first period to end with the score tied at 1-1.

Frustration got the best of the Birds in the second period. ISU started the second off with a 5-on-3 advantage as the Bears took two consecutive penalties. Unfortunately, the Birds were unable to take advantage and Missouri State killed both penalties. The Bears then drove another nail in when they scored 30 seconds later to gain a 2-1 lead over ISU. ISU’s frustration grew as they took a penalty, along with the Bears, for roughing, and with 23 seconds left committed another penalty to give Missouri State a brief 5-on-3.

The Birds cleared both penalties, but their bad luck continued when they took a tripping penalty with two minutes remaining in the second period. MSU was quick to add to their lead and finished the period holding a 3-1 advantage over Illinois State.

Missouri State continued their offensive showcase as they scored a goal one-minute into the third period. The Bears struck once again with 13 minutes left on a power play goal to take a 5-1 lead.

Kalata came through with a goal off an assist by Andrew VanDyke to end the Birds scoring drought. It was Kalata’s second consecutive game with a goal scored and his third goal of the season. Missouri then answered Kalata’s goal with two more of their own within a three-minute span.

The Redbirds, not wanting to give-in, fought back for the rest of the period. Things ended on a high note as Joe Perrelle scored, with assists from Max Puscheck and Joey Bower.

What’s Next?

Next weekend the DI Birds will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face another ISU in Iowa State University. Iowa State has yet to play a game so far this season. You can catch the DII Birds at home next weekend when they take on Northern Illinois University from the Pepsi Ice Center at 9:10 on September 22nd.

Written By: Megan McCabe