March
05, 2008 - For the fifth time this season the Illini will face Lindenwood
University, but what hangs in the balance this time in nothing less than the
title of ACHA Division I National Champions. Both the Illini and the Lions worked
their way through the 16 team field for this final match in the national tournament.
The road for the Illini first went through the #16 seed, Robert Morris University.
The Illini and the Colonials swapped goals early, but the Illini power play,
which provided 3 goals, proved to be too much for Robert Morris, allowing the
Illini to skate away with the game 4 to 1. The next challenge for the Illini
were the #9 ranked Rams of Rhode Island, who upset #8 West Chester by over coming
a 2 goal deficit in the 3rd. The Illini and the Rams exchanged goals in the first
period, then early in the second, but as that period played on, the Illini caught
fire and were quickly out to a 5-2 lead. The Illini would grab one more goal
in the 3rd, downing the Rams 6-2. After a day off the Illini would take on another
upset winning team, #6 seed Liberty University. Liberty advanced to the semi-final
round after knocking off the #3 seed Penn State University, ending their 10 year
streak of championship game appearances. The Illini found it tough going against
the physical playing Flames, but were able to come up with two late first period
goals. Liberty would battle back scoring the only goal in the second period,
defusing an Illini power play. A breakaway by Jordan Pringle on the penalty kill
would extend the Illini's lead and and give him his second goal of the game.
The Illini and Flames would exchange goals late in the period, but the Illini
would hold on, winning 4-2.
Lindenwood made their route to the finals look like a cake walk, as they dismantled
their opponents 18 to 3 over the 3 game series. #2 Lindenwood started their climb
first facing #15 seed Stony Brook. The Seawolves would be the first ones to score,
but Lindenwood would match goals before the period was over. The Lions would
come to life in the 2nd scoring three more goals, and then adding three more
in the third, pounding Stony Brook 7-2. The toughest match for the Lions would
be their second round meeting with the #10 seed Iowa State, who advanced after
upsetting #7 Ohio. Lindenwood would start the scoring late in the first period,
then add two more markers in the third, while Lion goaltender Grahame Lippert
turned away all 32 of the Cyclones shots, earning the 3-0 shutout. In the semi-finals
the Lions faced the #4 seed Bluehens of Delaware. Lindenwood took control from
the drop of the puck, totally dominating the Bluehens. Larry Kopecky started
the scoring for the Lions, and before the first period was over Lindenwood was
out front 2-0. Delaware opened up the scoring in the second, but that would be
the last time that the lamp was lit behind Lippert. Lindenwood would add three
goals to their total before the period was over, then add three more in the third,
two from Kopecky for the hat trick, finalizing the score at 8-1 and guaranteeing
them the spot in the championship game.
The Lion's and the Illini will square off for the Murdoch cup at 7:30pm Eastern
time, and can be view live at LiveSportsVideo.com
