Ames, IA - Everyone knew
that going into Iowa State wasn't going to be an easy
trip as these two teams like to give their all, and
then some, when they square off. The Illini found themselves
being overpowered by the Cyclones and down by two goals
going into the third period in front of the packed
Ames Ice Arena, not a situation they cared to be in.
But two goals in the third by the Illini sent the game
into overtime, and halfway through the extra period
the Illini came up big, taking the game 3-2.
The first period would pass rather quickly and with
limited interruptions, except for a couple of Iowa
State penalties. Pressure from the Cyclones wouldn't
allow the Illini to convert on the power play chances,
as they always seemed to find the puck and clear it
down the ice. The teams matched each other with 7 shots
on goal, but good goaltending on both sides kept the
period scoreless.
The Illini would get a few more chance at the power
play in the second period, but again Iowa State would
make it hard for the Illini to get anything together.
Just over halfway through the period, the Illini would
be on one of those power play just to have it broken
up by the Cyclones Cort Bulloch, who would fly down
the boards with the Illini trailing behind, and going
in one on one against goaltender Mike Burda, put a
shot past him giving Iowa State the 1-0 lead. Two
and a half minutes later Iowa State would have the
Illini scrambling in their own zone and a shot from
Brian Spring would find its way into the Illini net
to extend the Cyclone lead to two. The ISU defenders
would stifle the Illini, giving them one of the lowest
number of shots on goal in a period this season with
just 4, compared to ISU's 10.
A late second period penalty on Iowa State would allow
the Illini to start the third period on the power play,
but once again would be able to take advantage of it.
Two and a half minutes into the third period the Illini
would finally get back into the game as junior Pat
Saliba would send a shot from just inside the circle
into the Iowa State net, senior Dave Schmitt and sophomore
Mark Ergun assisting. The new life found by the Illini
put them on the attack, keeping the puck in the Iowa
State zone for a majority of the period. Just under
seven minutes into the third senior Alex Park would
fire a shot from the top of the slot that would miss
the mark but end up coming back out to Park for a second
chance, and with a laser shot this time found the back
of the Cyclone net tying the game at 2-2. Both teams
would look for the go ahead goal in the remainder of
the period but neither would be able to find it, the
Illini even killing off a 5-3 power play for the Cyclones.
One again the teams equaled the number of shots on
goal for the period with each team Sending 9 shots
to the net.
The overtime period would have both team skating 4
on 4 until an Iowa State penalty gave the Illini the
edge. And this time the Illini were able to convert
as senior Drew Heredia, while sprawled out on the ice,
batted at the puck, finally getting it past ISU's Hudson,
giving the Illini the 3-2 win. Assisting on the OT
power play goal were seniors Alex Park and Johnny Liang.
The win over Iowa State gave the Illini 4
more league points moving them to within 4 points
of first place Lindenwood.
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