October 28, 2007 - Three seems to be the number when it comes to the Illini playing Lindenwood. Three straight games against the Lions, in all three games Lindenwood's Corey Spradling was the first to score, all three games were decided by one goal, and all three times the Illini came out on top. Another number that came out of this weekend is 8, and that's the number of CSCHL points that the Illini picked up by winning their first two league games of the season over Lindenwood.

Friday night the Illini found themselves in a hole early as Lindenwood picked up a power play goal in the first six minutes of play, but the Illini answered back by scoring twice themselves before the period was over. Nick Fabbrini and Jordan Pringle each netted power play goals to make it a 2-1 first period for the Illini. Jason Nemeth added a goal in the second period to put the Illini up by two, but Lindenwood would start a comeback in the third period with another power play goal. The Illini would find themselves fending off a 5-3 power play chance for Lindenwood, but the defense stood their ground and held on for the 3-2 win.

During Saturdays game the Illini would find themselves trailing three different times, and each time would battle back to time the game. Lindenwood would grab a power play goal halfway through the first period, and Nick Fabbrini would even things up back up with an Illini power play goal just minutes later. The Lions would pull ahead with another power play goal early in the second, but the Illini would even up the score with a Jordan Pringle power play goal. Lindenwood would would turn the tables on the Illini and net a short handed goal minutes later giving them a 3-2 edge at the end of the second period. The Illini's Pat Saliba would net his first goal of the season, tying the the game once again, early in the third, and Brad Hoelzer would give the Illini the lead just 29 seconds later with another power play goal. The Illini would again hold off the Lions attacks, and grab the 4-3 win.

The Illini continue league play for the next 3 weekends, first heading to Ann Arbor to face Eastern Michigan for a pair of 4 point games, before returning home for a pair of games against St. Louis University and then another pair against Western Michigan.

( Game One Box Score ) ( Game One Recap )
( Game Two Box Score ) ( Game Two Recap )