The Illini dropped the first game of their big series at Ohio by a score of 6-5.

A nail-biter through the first three periods, the Illini lost in overtime, with Ohio forward Zach Tisdale scoring the game-winner.

A see-saw battle, the Illini got the scoring started in the first period, with a goal four minutes into the game by Daniel Cohen. Ohio answered with two goals 50 seconds later, before Illini captain Jordan Pringle tied it up once again eight minutes in. Ohio finished the period off with a third goal with less than 4 minutes left in the period.

The scoring decreased in the second, while the physical play picked up. Twelve penalties were doled out, including two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and one game misconduct penalty given to Ohio’s forward Jeremy Browning.

Illini forward Matt Jennings appeared to have the game-winner in the third period, until Ohio defenseman Steven Osacky tied it up with under a minute ago.

The Illini will look for a split in the series on Saturday. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.