Despite having a second team All-American goaltender guarding their net, the Illinois hockey team looked like it was going to have defensive issues earlier in the season. With the team collectively becoming more focused on protecting senior goalie Nick Clarke, the defense has made a noticeable turnaround.

“A lot of guys are just sacrificing their bodies for the team and have started realizing what we have to do when it’s crunch time or when we’re down,” junior defenseman Kyle Clark said. “We’re a hard gritty team, and that’s what we’ve got to do. Just be defensive.”

Since an 8-1 loss against Ohio on their home ice, the Illini have allowed a total of just four goals in three games, including an impressive shutout victory on the road against Indiana. Clark remembers the 8-1 defeat and said it sparked the rest of the team to lock down defensively.

“We feel bad for Clarke when he’s out there playing in a consecutive game, and we go out there and don’t help him out,” Clark said. “We don’t want him getting lit up the entire time because it’s not fair to him. It’s on us.”

Clarke is never one to make excuses for himself, but he has definitely noticed the refocused defensive effort in front of him.

“The guys are just starting to sacrifice their bodies for the team,” Clarke said. “The past couple of games we’ve had a lot more blocked shots and turnovers, which has been a change from what we saw in the beginning of the year. It’s just the guys being willing to take the extra step for the team.”

When asked if pulling Clarke out of the game during the 8-1 loss to Ohio a few weeks ago was a wake-up call for the rest of the team, head coach Nick Fabbrini agreed somewhat.

“I think that losing 8-1 was a bit of a wake-up call, too,” Fabbrini said. “I think it led to us playing with some more pride.”

When asked about the recent defensive resurgence, the first thing any player has mentioned is the team’s shot blocking. Fabbrini noted that the Illini blocked more shots than they had turnovers in the shutout victory over Indiana, and that’s something he wants to happen in every game moving forward.

The Illinois defense will look to remain stingy when it travels to Oklahoma this weekend.

“I think that defensively we’ve definitely gotten a lot better the past three games,” Fabbrini said. “For us, it’s about bringing an effort and intensity for a full 60 minutes, and if we do that, I like our chances against anybody.”

Joey can be reached at [email protected] or @joeyfigueroa3.