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Illini
sweep Bulldogs as seniors say Good-Bye |
February 24, 2008 -
The Illini wrapped up the regular season and their final home games in style,
sweeping the Bulldogs of Adrian College 8-2 and 9-0, keeping their record
unblemished at 34-0-0. It was also a weekend for seniors and all-stars as
the Illini's senior class and parents were recognized before the start of
Saturdays game, and at the same time, 3 players, Jordan Pringle, Jason Nemeth,
and Brad Hoelzer, along with assistant coach Darin Trulock attended the CSCHL
All-Star game in Athens Ohio. One senior that had a big weekend was Joey
Resch, who over the course of the weekend picked up 7 points, including 3
goals, 2 on Friday, 1 on Saturday, and 4 assists, 2 in each game.
In Friday nights match up it took the Illini a while to get started, but once
they did, it was hard to get them stopped. The Illini would control most of
the game, out shooting the Bulldogs 43 to 24, and in the end, out scoring them
8-2. The Illini would get a jump start late in the first period with an Adrian
penalty for hooking, allowing Tom Connell to get the party started for the
Illini. Matt jennings would add another goal for the Illini before the period
would end, giving the Illini a two goal lead at the break. In the second period
Ricky Gomez would add to the Illini's lead, followed by Connell picking up
his second goal just minutes later. Another power play chance late in the second
would allow Jordan Pringle to pick up his 21st goal of the season, and give
the Illini a 5-0 lead. In the third period the Illini and Bulldogs would each
swap a pair of goals within a two minute period. Joey Resch would start and
end the scoring frenzy, with goal from Adrian's Foss and Aukskalnis sandwiched
in between. Alex Park would cap off the scoring for the Illini with a power
play goal later in the period, giving the Illini the 8-2 win.
On Saturday night the Illini seniors started out the game and quickly jumped
all over the Bulldogs. The Illini strangled the Adrian offense, allowing them
only 2 shots on goal in the first period, an only 11 for the entire game. Johnny
Liang started the scoring for the Illini early in the first, followed by goals
from Tom Connell and Andy Betourne before the first 20 minutes was over. Johnny
Liang would open up the scoring in the second period as well, putting the Illini
out front 4-0. Nick Fabbrini would add a 5th Illini goal just over a minute
later, while Alex Park would add the 6th before the halfway point in the period.
Tim Gilbert would send the Illini into the second intermission with a 7-0 lead
with his 5th goal of the season. In the third period Ryan Goberstein would
score his first career Illini goal, while Joey Resch would pick up his 3rd
goal on the weekend with a power play goal in the closing minutes of the game.
Illini goaltenders DJ Kohler and Nick Pecoraro would split time between the
pipes in there effort to give the Illini the 9-0 shutout win.
The Illini will now prepare for the ACHA National tournament in Rochester,
NY where their first round opponent will be Robert Morris University.
(
Game One Box Score ) (
Game One Recap )
(
Game Two Box Score ) (
Game Two Recap )