ILLINOIS WINS! ILLINOIS WINS! ILLINOIS WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, 4-2 over Lindenwood.
Lindenwood made it close late in the 2nd, but the Illini dominated the third period, adding a goal and hanging on.
38-0 is quite an amazing feat, with a target on their back since week 2. Go Illini and I can’t wait for next year!!!
——–
End of the first period, Illinois 2 Lindenwood 1
For the first time in the tournament, the Illini were trailing after a short handed goal by Lindenwood. But Illinois responded with 2 quick goals of their own to take the lead. Lindenwood skating fast and playing hard, but the Illini so far look like the better team.
Go Illini!
——–
Update: They are having some internet problems here (which makes no sense to me because I’m online) so they are delaying the start of the broadcast so that we can hopefully get the video/audio on in time for the start of the game.
I’ll keep you all posted with updates.
———
Alright! This is the night we have all been waiting for, the national championship!
#1 Illinois vs. #2 Lindenwood.
Illinois has beaten Lindenwood 4 times this year, but all have been close games. Let’s see if the Illini can make it 5 wins vs. Lindenwood, 38 wins overall, zero losses, and one national championship.
Puck drops in about 20 mins!
Go Illini!
CATCH THE GAME (video and audio) at livesportsvideo.com
——–
ILLINOIS WINS! ILLINOIS WINS! ILLINOIS WINS!
Illinois wins 4-2, a CLOSE GAME from Liberty. Jordan Pringle had a short handed goal about 2 mins into the 3rd period to the give the Illini a 3-1 lead. That score held for about 15 minutes, until Liberty scored with just over 2 minutes left. It was tight, but Jason Nemeth added an empty net goal with 47 seconds left to seal the game.
Illinois is going to the ACHA National Championships for the 3rd time in school history, looking for their second championship–and of course, the perfect season.
We’re eagerly anticipating the Delaware vs. Lindenwood semi-final to find out our opponent. Illinois is 4-0 against Lindenwood this year, but every game has been very tight.
Puck drops tomorrow night at 6:30pm CST.
Go Illini!
——–
End of the second period, Illinois 2, Liberty 1.
A short handed goal by Liberty cut the lead in half. Credit both goalies with excellent play here in the 2nd period. Burda staved off 10 mins of power play minutes by Liberty, Binnie for the Flames is the only reason Liberty is in this game.
Wow, Alex and I are a little nervous here. Probably the most evenly matched game so far this season that we have covered.
Come on Illinois!
———–
End of the first period, Illinois 2 Liberty 0.
Nice goals from Pringle (a tip in off a Alex Park wrist shot) and Nick Fabbrini.
Liberty is big, and putting some big hits on the Illini. Let’s see if they get back in this game.
Go Illini!
———–
Alright, a big day out here in Rochester! #1 Illinois takes on #6 Liberty at 4:30 CST. The winner advances to the national championship to take on the winner of the Lindenwood/Delaware game.
Alex and I are up and ready to get going to the ice arena. Blake is still sleeping (2pm).
Be sure to listen and watch all the action at livesportsvideo.com. It’s $5 for the entire tournament, but hopefully that includes two more games for Illinois–well worth the price.
Keep looking here for updates. Go Illini!
————–
Illinois wins! Illinois wins! Illinois wins!
The final, Illinois 6, Rhode Island 2. The Illini dominated play again in the third period, allowing the Rams very few scoring opportunities. The win sends Illinois to the semi-finals, played on Tuesday.
It’ll be Illinois vs. Liberty in the early game (4:30 CST), and you can catch all of the action on livesportsvideo.com.
Go Illini!
————-
End of the second period, Illinois 5, Rhode Island 2.
Don’t let the score fool you, this was a tight period till the end. The Illini took a 2-1 lead early in the period–Joey Resch with the goal–but Rhode Island came back with a score on a 5-3 advantage.
The Illini scored two more times late in the half, and then added another goal with 0.2 seconds left! It happened so fast we couldn’t even catch who scored it, but Liang with an amazing assist.
The Illini looked pumped up, and there are more fans here tonight giving them their support. If the Illini hold on, they’ll face Liberty in the semi-final round on Tuesday. Leave Champaign now and you’ll make it here with plenty of time to spare.
Go Illini!
————–
End of the first period, Illinois 1, Rhode Island 1.
The Illini playing well, allowing a goal on a great breakout by one of the Rhode Island forwards. Fabbrini had the early goal for Illinois. Credit Johnny Liang with the assist.
Sorry about all the tech difficulties, but we should be good for the rest of the game.
GO ILLINI!
——-
Hey Illini fans! Alex, Blake and I just got done calling the 15th place game between Robert Morris University (who Illinois beat last night) and Stony Brook University. Booooorrrring.
Anyway, we’re about an hour from puck drop here in Rochester in round 2 action between #1 Illinois and #9 Rhode Island. The winner of this game will either play Liberty (who upset Penn State in their quarterfinal match) or #10 Iowa State (depending on who wins the game between Lindenwood and Iowa St)
There are a lot more Illini fans here for this game tonight, so let’s home we pull out the victory and advance to the semi’s on Tuesday!
Go Illni!!!!
——
Illinois wins! Illinois wins! Illllllinois wins!!!!
It was a little too close for comfort, as the now 35-0 Illini knocked off Robert Morris (PA) 4-1. It was physical and fast, and the Illini got the big first round victory.
Thanks for all of the e-mails, and keep them coming to either illinihockey@wpgu.com, and achanationals@gmail.com.
The Illini will face off against Rhode Island Sunday at 830pm! Be sure to listen!
Go Illini!
——————-
Both teams have taken the ice for the skate around, and the Illini don’t look phased. It’ll be interesting to see how the team reacts to the smaller ice surface, after playing their last 5 games on the big pond.
We’re about 20 mins away from the puck drop. Let’s see what happens!
——————-
Hey Illini hockey fans! Welcome to the live blog from Rochester! Alex, Blake and I just arrived to the arena, and we are about an hour or so from puck drop here at the ESL Sports Center.
The three of us loaded everything into a SUV at 4am this morning and made the trek out here. It took a shade over 10 hours, though Blake claims it “seemed like it went faster than that.” Probably because I drove the entire way and he slept from Indianapolis to Buffalo.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we found out that to watch and view the games you have to pay $5. At first, I was appalled. Five dollars to watch and listen to hockey? But seriously folks, the streaming video is EXCELLENT quality, and the audio will be great too. Plus, you get to actually see Alex, Blake and I. I’m sure you’ll agree that we all have a perfect look for radio–not television.
Anyway, we will blog here, providing updates when we can! Feel free to e-mail us at anytime at illinihockey@wpgu.com.
Puck drops at 7:30 CST, as your #1 Illini take on #16 Robert Morris.
Thanks for listening!
Jon Hansen
