Through a frigid weekend in Champaign, the Ice Arena was filled. Fans braved the weather to watch Illinois hockey (8-8) split a two-game series with DePaul (17-7). Illinois debuted new jerseys in Friday night’s matchup, featuring a simple white, blue and orange colorway with a colorful design along the shoulder pads and the players’ numbers. This puzzle-piece pattern was the distinguishing aspect of Illinois’ Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness jerseys, which were available to purchase online to raise proceeds for local charities.
As the puck finally dropped to start the new calendar year for Illinois, bodies hit the boards right away with five pairs of hockey players shoved to the side within the first minute. After some back-and-forth, DePaul got on the scoreboard in a breakaway that found a small crease between senior goalie Ben Mazurek and the back of the net.
Later on, sophomore Matthew McDonald capitalized on a pass that was too strong and found himself on a breakaway with the goalie just to beat. McDonald used his agility to get the goalie off balance just enough to score and tie the game at 1-1.
Just two minutes later, DePaul regained its lead off of a faceoff. DePaul used a faceoff as an opportunity to create a two-on-one opportunity and sniped the puck to the back of the net — but it didn’t stop there. With less than 10 seconds remaining in the first period, DePaul saw another opportunity. Catching the defensive line slacking meant that DePaul gained a comfortable two-point lead (3-1) at the end of the first period.
As the players were getting ready to come back for the second period, Illinois looked to narrow down the point margin right away. Illinois matched DePaul’s shot attempts for five straight minutes. As the intensity of the game grew, DePaul started to pile the shots on the goal. This eventually paid off for the visitors, and Illinois fell into a 4-1 deficit.
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Just as the period was coming to a close, junior center Alexander Matveev gave the Illini some hope by going around the back of the goal. Matveev saw an opening and shoved the puck into the back of the net to inch Illinois within striking distance. Matveev answered his call at the beginning of the third period and put away another goal. With 19 minutes remaining, Illinois had worked its way into only trailing 4-3.
The Illini acted fast once again. Just four minutes later, senior center Alek Bogdonoff snuck one past the DePaul keeper to even the score. However, even after conceding three goals in five minutes, DePaul’s early-game cushion meant that all it took was one more goal to get back in front. By the third period’s halfway mark, the Blue Devils recovered the lead and never looked back despite an electric Illini crowd cheering for the home team.
A power play in the final five minutes was Illinois’ chance, but no one was able to capitalize on it. An empty net goal at the end of the game meant that Illinois’ comeback fell short by a 6-4 margin.
Heading into Saturday’s game, Illinois was even more motivated to even the count. Junior defenseman Harrison Slovak made an immediate impact with two goals in the first period. Things were looking good for the Illini.
Throughout the second period, DePaul tried their best to answer back. Despite the Blue Devils having several opportunities, Mazurek kept them from scoring. With less than two minutes left in the period, sophomore Gregory Etingen scored to extend Illinois’ lead (3-1). An invigorated DePaul answered quickly, and Illinois’ insurance goal had been undone heading into the third period (3-2).
Illinois was now on the other side of a one-goal third-period lead and was able to capitalize much like DePaul had 24 hours prior. Etingen added to his goal total at the halfway mark, and Illinois was able to stave off DePaul’s comeback hopes. The final buzzer’s ring meant that Illinois ended the weekend with a win that moved its record back to an even .500.
Illinois hockey will be back in action this weekend against Purdue Northwest (20-5). The two programs will split their doubleheader on home turf, beginning at Purdue Northwest before traveling to Illinois.
@Jon_Mathew23
