The Illini (5-1-0-1) will face the Illinois State Redbirds (4-3-1-0) this weekend, playing two matches in Bloomington, Illinois.
The Illini had one game last week, an early morning matchup against the Purdue Northwest Pride. Both sophomore forward David Ras and graduate student forward Ross Jaldung had goals, but the Pride ultimately came away with a 3-2 win.
After last week’s match, head coach John Opilka believes that the team needs to start games off stronger than they have been.
“We can’t wait to start playing until halfway through the first or second period,” Opilka said.
In practices this week, Opilka explains that forwards worked on “applying back pressure” and the defensemen worked on “having tighter gaps.”
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Sophomore forward Carson Mitchell leads the Illini with seven goals. Senior forward Gregory Etingen leads the team in assists with 10.
For the Redbirds, sophomore defenseman Sam Truxaw leads the way with six goals, and freshman forward Robin Kuusik trails close behind him with four. Sophomore goalie Kason Yamada has a save percentage of .861 in two games, and graduate student goalie Cole Walter has a save percentage of .906 in four games.
The last time the Illini and Redbirds met, the Illini split the weekend with one win and one loss. The first match had a final score of 3-0 in favor of Illinois, with goals from Mitchell and Ras. Senior goalie Nolan Woodring was in net and saved all 25 shots the Redbirds took.
Illinois State took the second game, with a final score of 5-3. The Illini had goals from Mitchell, Ras and graduate student forward Alexander Matveev. Both Woodring and sophomore goalie Joseph Schmid were in net. Woodring had a .786 save percentage and Schmid a .917 save percentage.
Illinois is set to play Illinois State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6:10 p.m.. Both matches will take place on the Redbirds’ home ice, Bloomington Ice Center.
