Champaign, IL - When Ohio and the Illini get together, there is usually some good hard battles and maybe a few sparks along the way, and this game didn't disappoint those looking for a tough, hard nosed hockey game. The teams clashed for over half of the game before the Illini finally found the back of the Bobcats net. A four goal run in the third period led to the Illini downing the Bobcats 5-0.

The first period consisted of both teams feeling each other out, looking for opportunities, while at the same time trying to keep their opponent away from the net. The Illini dominated most of the play and ended up out shooting Ohio 13 to 4 in the period, but just couldn't get the puck past the Bobcat's goaltender, Paul Marshall. The teams skated almost the entire 20 minutes penalty free, until a group of penalties in the last 5 seconds gave the Illini the man advantage heading into the second period.

The Bobcats would start out the period down a man, but would be able to kill off that penalty, and one more, but it would be the third penalty just over halfway through the period that would hurt them. Senior Alex Park would fire a slapshot from the top of the slot that would finally break the double naught tie at the 12:09 mark. Helping set up the Park power play goal would be junior Jason Nemeth and freshman Tim Gilbert. Ohio would almost double their number of shots on goal compared to the first period, but the Illini would still come out on top, out shooting them 11-7. Another Ohio penalty, this time at the buzzer, would give the Illini the edge starting the third.

If one penalty wasn't bad enough for the Bobcats to start the period, another one just 18 seconds into the final round made things worse. Skating 5 on 3, the Illini knew this was time to strike, and that they did. Jason Nemeth would skate the puck in from near the boards, weaving past the Ohio defense and finding an opening, send a wrist shot past the Ohio netminder. Assisting on the second Illini goal at the 1:32 mark were seniors Alex Park and Drew Heredia. Just finishing killing off a penalty, Ohio had returned a man to the ice, but maintained control in the Ohio zone and just under the 8 minute mark, senior Johnny Liang would put the puck top shelf on Ohio's Marshall, giving the Illini a 3 goal edge. Assisting, on what would turn out to be the nights only even strength goal, were sophomore Brad Hoelzer and senior Ricky Gomez. Another Ohio penalty shortly after the Illini goal, would give the Illini the edge once again, and once again Alex Park would send a blistering shot from the slot that would find the back of the net, Jason Nemeth getting the lone assist on the goal at 9:02. Frustration would start to show for the Bobcats, and shortly after a few extra curricular activities, Ohio would once again find themselves down a skater. The Bobcats would kill off most of the penalty, but with just 3 seconds left, senior Joey Resch would send a pass from behind the goal line to senior Nick Fabbrini at the side of the net, who would in turn put the puck into the Ohio net, giving the Illini the 5 goal lead. Johnny Liang would get the second assist on the goal at the 13:58 point in the third. A few more altercations nearing the end of the game would send a few players to the locker room early and fill up the sin bins on both sides. The Illini would once again outshoot the Bobcats 12 to 6, making the totals 36 to 17 for the game. Sophomore Mike Burda was up to the challenge once again and was able to turn away all 17 Ohio shots, earning his 5th shutout of the season.

The 5-0 shutout win moves the Illini record now to a perfect 24-0-0 and guarantees them at least second place in the league playoffs, and moves them to within 9 points of first place Lindenwood University .