Illinois (20-6-2-2) and Illinois State (15-14-2) traded results in a chippy two-game set at the University of Illinois Ice Arena, as Illinois earned a 4-2 win on Friday before falling 4-1 Saturday. The Illini won the opener behind a 3-point night from senior forward Gregory Etingen and a two-goal performance from sophomore forward David Ras but couldn’t overcome special teams and penalties in the rematch as the Redbirds struck three times on the power play.

The matchup marked the teams’ second series meeting this season, after the Illini dropped both games in their first set. 

Fast start sets tone Friday

Illinois set the tone early on Friday and never looked back. Etingen struck first just five minutes into the opening period to give the Illini an early lead. In the second period, Illinois caught fire. Ras scored just 20 seconds in. Then, after an elbowing penalty from Illinois State graduate transfer forward Will Tricarico, Ras struck again less than two minutes later on the power play to push Illinois ahead 3-0.

The Redbirds clawed back and cut the deficit to 3-2 late in the third period. However, the momentum shift was short-lived. Just over 30 seconds later, sophomore forward Carson Mitchell responded with his team-leading 18th goal of the season to secure the Illini’s 4-2 win.

The difference between Friday and Saturday’s games came down to Illinois’ ability to dictate play early.

“Friday, we started strong and played our game,” said head coach John Opilka. “Saturday, we seemed on our heels from the jump and never got our footing.”

Penalties, chaos derail Illini Saturday

After two penalties on each side in the first period, both teams traded goals exactly 30 seconds apart with less than two minutes remaining. Mitchell scored his 19th goal of the season to tie the game for Illinois.

The second period quickly turned messy. After sophomore defenseman Reilly Burke was assessed a hooking minor, Illinois State capitalized on the power play to retake the lead. A few minutes later, tempers began to flare. After Tricarico netted his second goal of the game, a brawl broke out that sent five players to the penalty box. The chippiness only continued. Another fight erupted at the end of the period, landing three more players in the box. In total, 12 players received penalties in the second period alone.

The chaos carried into the third, when graduate student defenseman Nick Andersen was ejected after delivering a major hit in the neutral zone. Illinois State added one more goal in the final minute to seal a 4-1 win.

Special teams struggles prove costly

Penalties and special teams proved to be the deciding factor in Saturday’s loss. Illinois State capitalized on its opportunities, while Illinois was unable to generate momentum with the man advantage.

“Special teams and penalties were a huge factor,” Opilka said. “In tight games like that, your special teams usually make the difference. We didn’t capitalize on any power play opportunities, and ISU scored three power play goals.”

Final stretch ahead for Illinois

With just one series remaining in the regular season, Illinois now turns its attention to its final home matchup against Cincinnati on Feb. 27-28. The Illini will have a bye week to regroup, while the Bearcats enter the series red hot, riding a four-game winning streak that included dominant road wins over Central Michigan Chippewas, 13-0 on Friday and 11-1 on Saturday.

Despite the tough matchup ahead, Illinois remains focused on closing the regular season strong while also honoring its senior class.

“It’s important to give our seniors the proper send-off they deserve,” Opilka said. “I expect our team to do whatever it takes to win it for those guys playing in their last games.”

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