The Missouri Tigers men’s hockey team defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 8-4 Friday evening on the backs of two-goal performances from Thomas Kueser and Dan Jeffries. The Tigers dominated the first period, keeping Wildcat goalie Cortland Eibe on his toes. Wingers Cory Cannon and Dan Jeffries, defenseman Brendan Wilson and center Thomas Kueser all scored in the first period before Kentucky had a chance to respond just before the first intermission.
During the second period the game was much more of a back and forth affair. Odd man rushes were common as momentum swung back and forth early in the period, but the Wildcats eventually prevailed. Kentucky scored two unanswered goals to cut the lead in half before Ryan Hodges scored a beauty to make it 5-3 in favor of the Tigers. Kentucky had multiple chances to score late in the period including a five on three scenario. But penalties, in particular an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Remi Paine, killed their chances, and made the game a three on three. Missouri had quite a few in front of the net but couldn’t capitalize before the end of the period.
The third period opened with a great chance for Kentucky but the Wildcats could not find a way to put the puck past Tiger goalie Billy Hindle. Missouri Winger Chase Lutz then added to the Tigers’ lead. Both teams took turns getting chances but couldn’t break the other’s defense. With 11 minutes Kentucky winger Ryan Hall was slashed in the hand and had to be removed from the game, although he later returned. Missouri forward Matt Royer scored with 8:52 remaining to make it a 7-3 lead, but Kentucky struck back a minute later. Thomas Kueser scored his second goal of the night with 20 seconds left to finish off the Wildcats by a score of 8-4.
 
(Featured Image: Chris Olszewski)