November 7, 2007 - Back when the Illini played St. Louis University four times each season, it used to be that the Illini could hardly ever sweep the Billikens, beating them 11-1 one night, and losing 2-1 the next. Over the last five years, the Illini have dominated the Billikens, with a record of 15-2 and total scoring of 114-31. Last season, with the games played on SLU ice, the Illini blanked the Billikens with scores of 6-0 and 16-0. But it doesn't appear that the Illini will have it that easy this year. St. Louis appears to be turning their club around, already winning more games this season then they did the whole last season, and winning as many league games as they have in the last two years combined. The Billikens are currently unranked in the ACHA, but are in 5th place in the CSCHL, just 4 points behind the Illini.
The Billikens are on a 3 game winning streak and their record is currently 5-6-2 on the season, with 3 of their losses being by just one goal. St. Louis has some respectable numbers, putting in 51 goals on their opponents, which is averaging just under 4 goals per game. The leading goal grabber for the Billikens is junior Josh Daugherty, who with 11 goals is getting about 1 per game. Leading the team in points so far this season is a sophomore from Missouri, Bill McMillen with 18 (8 goals, 10 assists) followed closely by junior Tim Jost with 16 (5 goals, 11 assists). Part of the Billikens problems so far this year has been on the back end of the ice, where the defense is allowing an average of over 36 shots on goal per game and of them, over 4.6 are finding the back of the net. Sophomore Trey Spiller has been the go to guy for most of the net minding duties for St. Louis, and currently holding a Goals Against Average of 4.59 with his only shutout of the season coming this past weekend against #24 ranked Arizona.
Both games this weekend will take place at the University of Illinois Ice Arena with the puck dropping at 7:00pm. All home games this season can be heard on the radio and online thanks to 107.1 WPGU-FM |
