February 05, 2008 - The Illini are looking forward to closing out the regular season of league play this weekend as they head North to Bensenville, IL to face the Eagles of Robert Morris College. The Illini have already clinched the #1 seed for the CSCHL playoffs on February 15-17 in Champaign, but a win against the Eagles would give them the outright regular season league championship title. With Saint Louis forfieting their remaining games, Robert Morris will come into the league playoffs as the 8th seed and will face the Illini in the first round Friday night, February 15, at 7:00pm.
Robert Morris has been struggling a bit this year, with an overall record of 12-20-0, they are ranked 22nd in the ACHA with little hope of making the national tournament, although if they could upset the number one ranked Illini that might help. The Eagles have only had 5 league wins this season, giving them the 8 spot, but one of those wins was against number 8 ranked Ohio University in Ohio. Robert Morris has had a lot of close games throughout the season, and on average have been scoring just one goal less per game than their opponents, 4 to 5. Helping rack up those points for the Eagles is freshman Matt Olson, who is currently leading the team in both goals and assists (17 goals, 28 assists, 45 points). Robert Morris has 4 players tied with 12 goals each, but the top two in points behind Olson are a pair of seniors, Chris Tasic with 30 (12 goals, 18 assists) and last seasons points leader Steve LaFrenier with 29 (12 goals, 17 assists). On the backside of the ice, the Eagles defense has been giving up nearly 38 shots per game, with a high of 57 shots on goal in a game earlier this season. Robert Morris has a trio of young goaltenders who have been getting a workout this season, with sophomore Micah Robbins (4.19 GAA, .888 save percentage) picking up the most overall time in net, while freshman Drew Stanton (4.89 GAA, .868 save percentage) has put the most time in net this semester.
The Illini would like to invite all family, friends, and alumni out to The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, IL to see the Illini in action against Robert Morris this Friday and Saturday nights, February 8th & 9th, with the games starting at 7:30pm. Come out and see history in the making as the Illini try to go a perfect 18-0-0 in the league and look for their 29th straight win. Interactive map to The Edge.
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