Lindenwood overpowers Illinois club hockey in weekend series
By Carson Gourdie, Staff Writer
October 21, 2019
The Illinois club hockey team took on Lindenwood this weekend in a battle of two top-10 teams. However, the competition didn’t live up to the hype for the Illini. The opening game of the series was a heavyweight bout, with both teams dishing out physical hits while still getting some shots on goal. ...
Illini split series against Bronchos
By Carson Gourdie, Contributing Writer
October 14, 2019
Illinois traveled to Edmond to take on Central Oklahoma for a two-game series, its first road trip of the season. After two hard-fought battles, the Illini split the series, falling victim to the Bronchos in game one before exacting revenge in game two. Both games featured an offensive shootout with...
Spartans fall from grace against Illini
By Carson Gourdie, Staff Writer
October 7, 2019
Despite outscoring the Spartans 11-2 in regulation, Illinois (3-1) split its two-game series with Michigan State (3-1), winning the first game 10-1 before losing the second game in a shootout 2-1. The first game on Friday started off on a high note for the Illini. After back-to-back thrilling one-poin...
Kolaz trains for championship season, career
By Carson Gourdie, Contributing Writer
October 3, 2019
The buzz surrounding Illinois hockey is electric this season. Coming off of a winning season that was ended by champion Minot State, Illinois is confident it can get even better. With eight out of ten of their returning scorers back for another season, the Illini are expecting to compete at championships. A...
New coach, program conquer adversity
By Rachel Spencer, Assistant Sports Editor
September 16, 2019
The Illinois men’s club rugby experienced a few setbacks at the start of head coach Joe Rasmus’ first year at the helm of the program. The Illini started the fall season in Belleville, Illinois, facing off against the Lindenwood Lynx. A David versus Goliath situation, Illinois held its own against ...
Champaign Melee team wins $9k
By JJ Kim, Assistant Sports Editor
August 28, 2019
Following a heartbreaking runner-up finish in 2017 and a fourth-place finish in 2018, the Illinois club Melee team won the CSL Smash finals at Shine 2019, defeating Texas A&M University and taking home $9,000 and bragging rights. Nate “Foxcapacitor” Kranjc helped boost the team to victory ...
Men’s club volleyball finishes second in National Championships
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
April 25, 2019
A roller coaster is meant to flush out the full range of human emotion. One instance of terrifying anticipation is followed by a euphoric release of adrenaline as the ride drops — or the opposite, for those who don’t like roller coasters. In sports, everything is a roller coaster; careers, individua...
‘When we come together, we’re 100 percent’
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
February 21, 2019
It’s 9:30 p.m. on a Tuesday. The University of Illinois Ice Arena is still filled with youth hockey players. The Illini hockey team finished practicing hours ago, and by this time, the youth practice is starting to wrap up, too. Parents have already arrived, all of whom are waiting to bring their kid...
Illinois faces off against Ohio in two close games
By Jared Farmer, Staff writer
February 11, 2019
Friday’s first period set the tone for what became a tight defensive contest between Illinois and Ohio. After a scoreless first 10 minutes, the Bobcats got on the board with a shot into the Illini net at the 9:19 mark. Ohio freshman Ryan Higgins and Illinois sophomore Jack Healy were both sent to the pen...
Team reflects on games to develop offensive strategies
February 4, 2019
The Illini hockey team exchanged victories in two bouts against Minot State at home last weekend. After a late run to seal an Illini win on Friday, the Beavers rallied back on Saturday for redemption. The Illini had an explosive first minute in Friday’s matchup, capped off by a goal from sophomore ...
Freshman Ryba already leading the way for Illini hockey
By Jared Farmer, Staff writer
January 31, 2019
Kacper Ryba was a freshman who initially was just trying to impress in tryouts for the Illini Club Hockey Team. “I just wanted to make it,” Ryba said. “I was worried night after night about getting a spot.” During tryouts, Ryba began to closely connect with junior Bobby Ernsting as well as ot...
Illini focus on skills following Lions loss
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
January 22, 2019
The Illini club hockey team suffered back-to-back losses in heartbreaking fashion to Lindenwood. In what was some of the team's best play this season, Illinois did what most teams normally fail to do against Lindenwood: remain in a position to steal the win. “I thought that at our first matchup ...
