Illinois (19-6-2, 58 pts.) takes on Illinois State (14-13-2, 41 pts.) in a doubleheader this weekend. The Illini look to stay hot after sweeping the McKendree Bearcats this past weekend.
Graduate student goaltender Nolan Woodring led the Illini to a 3-0 shutout win in game one. Sophomore forward David Ras opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period, and junior forward Anthony Varassi followed with an empty-net goal. Freshman defenseman Zach Huebsch also scored an empty-netter in the win.
Match two was highly physical and fast-paced as both teams worked to be first on the scoreboard. McKendree netted two goals on Woodring, but Illinois rallied to claim a 4-2 victory.
Woodring leads in net
Woodring had a fantastic weekend, saving a combined 51 out of 53 total shots taken by McKendree. He credits the success to his confidence in puck control.
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“Personally, I felt like I was able to track the puck into my hands and body really well,” Woodring said.
The goaltender says that the team also found success this weekend by controlling rushes and penalty kills.
“We did a great job of limited rush plays and keeping a lot of shots to the outside of the rink,” Woodring said. “Our penalty kill did a great job all weekend … guys blocked shots and stayed composed when we needed it most.”
Illini prepare for Redbird rematch
The in-state rivals last met in October, with the Redbirds sweeping the series. Sophomore forward Carson Mitchell and senior forward Gregory Entigen each scored in a 4-2 game one loss, while Entigen was the only Illini to light the lamp in a 3-1 game two loss.
“ISU is a good team … we just need to be smart through the weekend and capitalize when we have the chance,” Woodring said.
When it comes to scoring, the Illini greatly surpass the Redbirds in points. Entigen leads Illinois with 41 points in 27 games, while Illinois State’s top scorer, forward Jacob Swiatek, has 28 points in 28 games.
Woodring says that practices this week have been focused on perfecting small details of the team’s game, like making clean passes, communicating in defensive zone coverage and making the right decisions on rushes.
This weekend’s matches will take place at the University Ice Arena on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. for both games.
