The Eastern hockey club split its weekend series against Louisville at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville.

The Panthers lost in the first game by a score of 5-4 on Friday, but won the second game on Saturday by a shutout score of 3-0.

The weekend series against Louisville marks the fourth time this season that the club has split with an opponent. The team has also seen splits against Loyola, Illinois and Northern Illinois.

The series brings the Panthers’ record to 8-5-3 on the season, while Louisville now has a record of 8-14.

The series also saw a pair of firsts for the team this season. In the first game, senior forward Tim Shannon recorded his first hat-trick, scoring three of the team’s five goals. In the second game, senior goalie Andrew Teske recorded his first shutout of the season. Teske has started all of the team’s games this season.

Shannon had one goal in the first game, bringing his weekend total to four, while senior captain Michael Sorrentino had two goals in the second game, adding to the win.

Teske said in a press release on the team’s website that it was the help of the defense that led to the second game shutout.

“It felt great to get the shutout, they played well in front of me, but I felt like I played solid also,” he said. “It was a big win for the boys, and now it is time to celebrate in Charleston.”

The series was the first time the Panthers had played at their home ice arena in Danville since the first week of the season against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. The Panthers will not play at home again until Dec. 18.

The Panthers will be back on the road next weekend, taking on Missouri State at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 and then again at 5 p.m. on Dec. 8. Both games will be at Mediacom Ice Park in Springfield, Mo.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].