Illinois reaches critical weekend for conference play
By Ethan Swanson
December 2, 2015
Tweet: [email protected] looks to make a jump in the conference standings this weekend against Robert Morris UniversityThe Illinois hockey team had last weekend off due to the Thanksgiving holiday festivities and feasts — a break the Illini desperately needed after their 8-0 loss to Lindenwood Univ...
Olen’s return comes just in time to face No. 2 Iowa State
By Ethan Swanson
November 12, 2015
For the first time in over a month, when Illinois (9-3-2) takes its home ice Friday night against CSCHL opponent No. 3 Iowa State (13-2-2), both Olen brothers will be wearing skates for the Illini.After suffering a broken ankle in the Illini’s neutral-site series with Alabama Oct. 2-3, John Olen, the senior ...
Illinois hockey embarrassed by Illinois State
By Cole Henke
November 1, 2015
The Illinois hockey team took care of business Friday night.Its game Saturday was a completely different story.Illinois State (5-9-1-1) ran Illinois (7-3-1-1) out of the rink Saturday with a 7-1 Redbirds win.The Redbirds were not supposed to be a challenge for the Illini. The Illini were ranked No. 13 in...
Illinois Hockey hopes to avoid slip up against Illinois State
By Cole Henke
October 28, 2015
Illinois hockey is nationally ranked in the ACHA and has an established spot in the CSCHL conference. Its opponent this weekend is not in the same boat.This is Illinois State’s (4-8-1-1) first year as a Division I club program. Right now, it acts as an independent team. The Redbirds look to join th...
Illinois hockey bounces back for big win against Robert Morris
By Cole Henke
October 18, 2015
The Illinois hockey team was eager to start its conference season on a high note against Robert Morris on FridayJT. The Illini ended up having to wait one more night to reach that high note.The No. 7 Eagles (1-3-0 CSCHL) started their conference season with two losses to Lindenwood. But they picked up...
By any other name: Illinois hockey nicknames
By Cole Henke
October 7, 2015
Talking to Illinois hockey players can be confusing for somebody who hasn’t been around the team much.Most of the players refer to each other by nicknames. Some are just shortened versions of the players’ last names, and sometimes they are hard to decipher. Some have good stories behind them.Some...
Illinois hockey looks for win in Chicago this weekend
By Ethan Swanson
September 30, 2015
Playing in Chicago at Johnny’s Ice House, the practice facility of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, is nothing new for the Illinois hockey team — as they have hosted a series there for the past three seasons.The Illini’s opponent, however, is one they have very little experience wit...
Illinois Hockey swept by Oklahoma in first road games
By Cole Henke
September 27, 2015
Illinois Hockey was very confused when it left Norman, Oklahoma, this weekend.The Illini (2-1-1-0) played right with the Sooners (2-1-1-0) in the first game on Friday night. Matching Oklahoma’s physicality, Illinois tied the game late and sent it to overtime with a goal from senior forward John Ole...
Illinois hockey prepares to face off against Oklahoma
By Cole Henke
September 23, 2015
When Illinois hockey plays Oklahoma, bad memories tend to resurface with the veteran Illini.According to junior captain Austin Zima, whenever the team talks about the Sooners, the conversation always goes back to the 2014 ACHA tournament, when the Sooners eliminated the Illini.“They ground us into a...
Illinois hockey’s talented youth and defense sweep Spartans
By Ethan Swanson
September 21, 2015
Head Illinois hockey coach Nick Fabbrini describes his team using many different adjectives — fast, resilient, talented — but the word “experienced” is not necessarily in that mix.Of the 27 players on the Illini’s active roster, 15 are either a sophomore or freshman, and only five of...
Illinois hockey to open season against Michigan State
By Ethan Swanson
September 16, 2015
The Illinois hockey team enters Friday’s home-opener 0-0-0, and no one is more thankful for a clean slate than the Illini players and coaches.Last weekend, the Illini traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to take on the Jr. Blues — a Tier II Junior A team of the North American Hockey League — f...
Cruickshank looks to build off strong freshman year
By Cole Henke
August 31, 2015
The Illinois hockey team can credit much of its success last season to the emergence of then-freshman Eric Cruickshank.His 32 points were the second-highest on the team, and the team voted him Rookie of the Year for the 2014-2015 season.Cruickshank is now heading into his sophomore season with the same mentality.“I plan t...
