The Illinois hockey locker room was two completely different scenes Friday and Saturday night.

Cheers rang out over the blasting music after Friday’s 3-2 shootout victory over No. 7 Lindenwood , whereas Saturday night was filled with silence, broken up by occasional shouting from the Lions’ locker room after the Illini fell, 4-2.

The Illini came from behind to force Friday’s game to a shootout after trailing by two goals at the end of the first period. Still without center John Olen and goaltender Joe Olen, Illinois relied on Zev Grumet-Morris in the net and wingers Eric Cruickshank and James McGing to win the shootout. McGing, Illinois’ leader in assists, scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.

“I practice that move almost everyday, going backhand, top-shelf,” McGing said of his shootout goal. “I’ve had breakaways before and I get kind of nervous to do it, but this time I went for it and it worked out.”

McGing’s heroics in Friday’s thriller, however, was short-lived and overshadowed by Saturday’s game. Lindenwood and Illinois increased the intensity in a more physical contest. As a result, 90 minutes were spent in the penalty box on a total of 21 penalties called on both teams.

Lindenwood was 1-for-4 on the powerplay while Illinois was 2-for-12. Lindenwood’s one successful powerplay resulted in two goals off a five-minute major called on Shaunak Pal for kneeing. Head coach Nick Fabbrini did not think the call was accurate.

“I didn’t necessarily agree with that call,” Fabbrini said. “I think the referee called the reaction more than the actual play.”

Regardless, Illinois had plenty of powerplay opportunities, including a couple of five-on-three powerplay chances, but was unable to convert. Fabbrini said missing out on two-man advantages was a turning point in the game.

Illini forward Jonathan Langan credits the number of penalties in Saturday’s game to a rivalry that has developed between Lindenwood and Illinois. The only other games he has played in with so many penalties called was also against Lindenwood.

Saturday’s game continued a season-long trend of Illinois winning the Friday game and losing Saturday at home. It was the fourth time it has happened this season. Langan, however, feels like that is no longer a trend for Illinois.

“It’s not something that’s bugging our guys,” Langan said. “We know we can win every night — it doesn’t matter if it’s Friday or Saturday.”

Whether or not that habit is broken, Illinois is taking away some positives from the weekend’s split and its last six home games.

Fabbrini was impressed with Illinois’ ability to come back Friday and has noticed players stepping up in the absence of the Olen brothers.

The Illini are 4-2 in the past six games against top-10 opponents.

“We’re certainly not satisfied with the results, we hate losing at home, but we’re going through a tough stretch of games,” Fabbrini said. “We’re playing much better now than we were about a month ago at this time.”

Matt can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @MattGertsmeier.