After a long stretch of away games, the Illini (7-3-1, 19 pts.) are back, ready to defend their home against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5-1, 16 pts.).
In its games against Davenport, Illinois split the series. The teams were well-matched, as both contests went into overtime. The Panthers took game one 3-2 behind freshman forward Jack Kelly’s overtime winner.
On Saturday, the game also went to overtime tied at two. After no goals in overtime, both teams geared up for a shootout. Graduate student forward Ross Jaldung sealed the win for the Illini with the only goal in the shootout.
Sophomore forward Carson Mitchell remains the top goal scorer for the Illini. Mitchell has accumulated eight goals in 11 games played. Senior forward Gregory Etingen leads the team in assists with 11.
Two Illini goalies had their time to shine this weekend. Graduate student Nolan Woodring was in net for game one, making 21 saves on 24 shots. Woodring owns a .906 save percentage in eight games this season. Sophomore Grady Sulkin played in game two, making 30 saves on 32 shots.
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The Scarlet Knights and the Illini did not meet last season. In its last matches against the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers claimed both matches.
In a highly physical game one, the Scarlet Knights earned the win after freshman forward Dale Campbell netted a short-handed goal in the final period three. Rutgers took game two in a shutout, with goals from freshman forward Jeremy Wachnachter, freshman forward Patrick Fitzgibbon and freshman defenseman Patrick Haines.
Campbell leads the Scarlet Knights in goals with eight. Junior defenseman Connor Reagan trails just behind with seven. Goaltender Markus Palatuf leads the team in minutes played (345) and carries a .913 save percentage.
The matchup against Rutgers takes place on Illinois’ Dads Weekend, and this competitive pairing could prove great entertainment for an evening with dad. Match one takes place Friday at 7 p.m. CDT, and match two the following evening at 7 p.m. CDT.
