Illini
sweep weekend with Iowa State
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The
Illini celebrate after a goal |
January
27th, 2003 - In front of two packed ice arena
crowds, the Illini end the Cyclones winning ways and Jim Rogers
has yet another hat trick game. Friday night started out with fans
so revved up that the balconies of the ice arena shook as the Illini
players took to the ice. The crowd exploded even more as just 44
seconds into the first period, Illini forward Brett Duncan started
what was going to be a long game for the Iowa State goalies and help
Joel Superfine add to his career assist totals. ISU's Jeff Smith
didn't have to spend too much time in the penalty box as Illini
Brian Coleman took advantage of the power play and scored just ten
seconds into it. Coleman added another unassisted goal to wrap up
the first period scoring Illini 3 Iowa State 0. The second period
started out much like the first, but this time it was Joel
Superfine, assisted by Justin Stock, that found the back of the
Cyclones net just 55 seconds into the period. As the period wound
down, ISU again found themselves a man short as Chris Linden sat in
the hot seat for a tripping call, and the Illini power play unit
took advantage of it. With the help of Todd Chrustowski and Joel
Superfine, Jim Rogers put the puck past ISU's Thompson and gave the
Illini a 5-0 lead. Jim wouldn't let the Cyclones Brendan Kidd get
too comfortable in goal after replacing Thompson as the net minder
either, this time with Kyle Mulvey and Tom Ennessy assisting Rogers
scored with just five seconds left in the period. In the third Brett
Duncan found himself the be the third Illini player with two goals
each in the game as he slid the puck past Kidd. The hopes of an
Illini shutout were dashed as ISU's Linden got the unassisted goal
against Illini tender Tim Danlow. Scott Kohler wrapped up the Illini
scoring for the evening with help from Jeff Condis and Brad Eaton,
as the Illini win it with a score of 8-1.
Hard to believe,
but Saturday nights crowd outdid Friday nights crowd in attendance
as it was standing room only as people packed themselves in the
stands and around the glass. In the first period, Brad Eaton started
off the Illini scoring with his third goal of the season, with the
assists going to Scott Kohler and Matt Breit. Defenseman David
"Dingo" Vargas, aided by Jeff Condis, put the Illini up by two as he
found a flaw in Kidds puck stopping ability. Jim Rogers and Brian
Coleman teamed up twice in the second period giving the Illini a 4
goal lead in the contest. The first Rogers goal was also assisted by
Kyle Mulvey who seemed to catch the refs attention a few times in
the third period. One of the games most exciting moments happened
after the Illini's Justin Stock was given a questionable delay of
game penalty, as the net was knocked off it's posts, and the
Cyclones were awarded a penalty shot. ISU's player was set to
go one on one against the Illini's Tim Danlow, the crowd was on it's
feet and making noise as the Cyclone headed for the net and took aim. The
crowd erupted as he was stopped cold by Danlow and the puck was
knocked aside. In the third period, ISU's Travis Fast was able to
short circuit the Illini power play and scored short handed the only
Cyclone goal of the night. Still on the power play however, the
Illini were able to regroup and Brett Duncan and Todd Chrustowski
assisted Jim Rogers in getting his third goal of the game.
Congratulations to Jim Rogers for his 5 goal weekend, Brian Coleman
for a 4 point weekend, and Brett Duncan, Joel Superfine, and Jeff
Condis for their 3 point weekend.
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