Illinois (5-0-1) suffered its first defeat of the year Friday night in a shootout against Roosevelt (2-1-0). The Illini stormed back Saturday with a 7-4 victory to earn a weekend split.
Heartbreaker first loss
Illinois fell for the first time this season in a tight defensive battle that came down to the shootout.
Roosevelt’s Danny Bdzoch broke the deadlock midway through the second period, but junior forward David Etingen answered just two minutes later on the power play to tie the score at one.
The Illini briefly grabbed control in the third period when junior forward Anthony Varrassi scored his first of the season at 9:04, but the Lakers responded instantly. Mike Abrego netted the equalizer just 20 seconds later to send the game into overtime.
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Neither team scored in the extra frame, setting up a shootout. Abrego delivered again, burying the deciding attempt to give Roosevelt the win. Graduate student goaltender Nolan Woodring made 25 saves in the loss, while Roosevelt’s Harber Cassel stopped 39 shots.
“Credit to Roosevelt, they played hard and did the little things it takes to win,” said head coach John Opilka. “We didn’t do a good enough job executing our game plan, and unforced errors cost us the game.”
Saturday revenge
Illinois didn’t stay down for long, responding with an offensive explosion in Saturday’s rematch.
Sophomore forward Carson Mitchell stole the show, scoring three times for his second hat trick of the young season. Mitchell netted two power-play goals and now leads the Illini with seven goals through six games.
“Carson has a knack for putting the puck in the net,” Opilka said. “He does a great job finding soft spots in their coverage and finishing on his opportunities.”
Illinois erased an early 1-0 deficit with three goals in under eight minutes late in the first period. Sophomore defenseman Thatcher Beauchamp tied it with his first of the year, followed by tallies from graduate student forward Ross Jaldung and Mitchell.
Mitchell capped off his hat trick with a pair of goals in the second. Jaldung and sophomore forward Louis Iandoli also scored in the period. Brothers David and Gregory Etingen combined for seven assists on the night, with Gregory setting up four goals in a family affair on the ice.
“Saturday, we did a better job moving our feet and playing our game,” Opilka said. “We are at our best when we play simple, move our feet and compete.”
Roosevelt managed four goals of its own, including two from Jack Quigley, but couldn’t keep pace. Woodring picked up the win with 25 saves, holding off the Lakers’ late push.
Next up
Illinois travels to Hammond, Indiana, Thursday for a single-game matchup against No. 15 Purdue Northwest (0-2). Purdue Northwest is coming off back-to-back losses against No. 5 Ohio.
