Champaign, IL - One of the most anticipated meetings of the season was on the slate for tonight, and it surely didn't disappoint as the number one and number two teams squared off on the Big Pond. Although it took almost 65 minutes to decide the outcome, it was well worth the wait, as the Illini took the first game of the series with the 5-4 overtime win.

In what would become a very even game, the first period numbers for each team were almost mirror images, with each team having 9 shots on goal, and 1 point on the score board. The Illini would be the first to strike, taking advantage of a power play opportunity, as junior Jason Nemeth would chip in a shot from the side of the net, with senior Johnny Liang assisting at the 11:37 mark. Penn State would even the score with a last minute rush as Jaime Zimmel would fire a shot past the Illini's Mike Burda who was starting his 3rd game in net.

While the Icers would out shoot the Illini in the second period 10 to 9, the Illini would be the only ones putting numbers up on the board. Just 2:49 into the period, PSU's Nick Signet would give up a rebound in the slot where Jason Nemeth would find it and let loose of a one timer, sending the puck into the back of the Icers net for his second goal of the game. Assisting on the Illini's go ahead goal were seniors Ricky Gomez and Drew Heredia. Another power play chance for the Illini would result in another goal as senior Alex Park would fire a rocket from just inside the blue line that would zip past Penn State's Signet, putting the Illini up by two. Jason Nemeth would be credited for the goal at 16:42 in the second.

Penn State would turn the tables on the Illini in the third period netting 3 goals and taking the lead for the first time in the game. Sean Kenney would start out the scoring by slipping a shot into the Illini goal just shy of the 6:00 minute mark to bring the Icers within one. At 14:16 in the period PSU's Keith Jordan would tie things up at 3, firing a shot through traffic that would find the back of the Illini net. 32 seconds later an Icers rush would result in the go ahead goal for Penn State as Steve Peck would put in the goal. The Illini wouldn't let the three straight Icer goals go unanswered and with just over two and a half minutes left in the game and the teams skating 4 on 4, Johnny Liang would get the puck at the side of the Icers net and put it past Signet for the game tying goal. Assisting on the goal were Ricky Gomez and Joey Resch. Both team would have chance, but niether could find a way to break the tie before the end of regulation play.

The extra period would be a back and forth battle with both teams skating 4 on 4 once again. Then with just 18 seconds left in the overtime period, senior Ricky Gomez would lob in a shot that would go over the Penn State netminders shoulder, giving the Illini the 5-4 win.

The win keeps the Illini's win streak alive and with a perfect 5-0 record.