Champaign, IL - It's
hard to believe that the Illini could improve on Friday
night's performance, but they did, putting more shots
on goal, putting more points on the board, and keeping
the Billikens out of the net. Junior Tom Connell had
the hot hand netting three goals in the game for the
hat-trick, while Illini netminders DJ Kohler and Nick
Pecoraro were solid between the pipes. The Illini grabbed
4 more league points and moved into first place in
the CSCHL with 24.
Sophomore Matt Jennings started the scoring drive just
under eight minutes into the first period, sending
a shot from Andy Betourne into the Saint Louis net
at the 7:48 mark, with junior Jordan Pringle assisting on the first
Illini goal. A minute and
ten seconds later Tom Connell would fire a shot from
the circle that even the SLU goaltender though was
in his glove, only to find out it was in the goal for
the second score of the period. Sophomore Brad Hoelzer
earned the lone assist on the goal at 8:58. Tom Connell
would strike for a second time before the period would
end, sending another shot from inside the circle to
the far top corner of the net, giving the Illini a
3-0 lead at 18:28, Captain Drew Heredia getting the
helper on the goal.
Drew Heredia would be the one netting the goal at the 14:10 point in the second period, picking up a rebound around the net and putting it past the Billiken's Spiller, Daniel Cohen getting the assist. A minute later the Illini would be given a power play opportunity, and at the 16:45 mark Jordan Pringle would pass the puck from behind the net to senior Nick Fabbrini in front for the one timer into the St. Louis net. The Illini sent a total of 18 shots towards the Billikens net compared to St. Louis' 6.
It didn't take the Illini long to extend their 5 goal lead even further as senior Alex Park fire a slap shot from the point that would find the back of the St. Louis net just 25 seconds into the period. Helping set up the power play goal was Daniel Cohen. At the 7:11 mark in the period Tom Connell would net his hat trick goal, with a shot from the side of the net, Drew Heredia getting the assist. Junior Pat Saliba would top off the Illini scoring with a shot from just inside the circle that would go over the SLU goaltenders glove, Jordan Pringle assisting. The Illini would sweep the Billikens, winning the second game 8-0.
The Illini add another win to their total, now at 13-0-0. The Illini will now get a three week break before returning to action against Western Michigan.
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