The illini face off against Ferris State

October 24, 2004 - The Illini knew this weekends games against Ferris State wouldn't be a walk in the park, but they did find out where more work needs to be done. On Friday night the Illini came out strong, shutting down Ferris State, allowing them only three shots on goal and striking with two goals. The first goal came at just past the six minute mark as Steve Krates cut across in front of the net and put the puck past the Bulldog netminder. Four minutes later the Illini were on the move again and Freshman Nick Fabbrini was able to redirect a laser shot from Andy Lubesnick to make it a 2-0 game for the Illini, the second assist was given to Dave Schmitt. As the second period started, the Illini's play was noticeably off, but they were able to add another goal to the tally as Alex Tauchen sent a perfect pass over to Marshall Chubirka in front of the net who put in in the net, Nick Fabbrini also assisting. Ferris State was finally able to get on the board three quarters of the way through the period thanks to an unlucky Illini bounce, ending the period with a 3-1 Illini lead. The Illini were able to settle down and regroup in the third period, but the Ferris State goalie was able to turn away most of the Illini shots. Drew Heredia was finally able to chip in a loose puck in front of the net to make it the 4-1 Illini win.
Saturdays game drew a sparse crowd, but didn't lack excitement as the Illini came out to play. The first period turned out to be the Brian Coleman show, as he scored the natural hat trick which included an even strength, short handed, and power play goal. The assists went to Brett Duncan, Scott Kohler, and Jim Rogers as the Illini took the 3-0 first period lead. The Illini added to the Coleman goals just a minute and a half into the second period as Junior Steve Krates took the long pass down the ice from Justin Stock and put it into the Ferris State net, Phil Gerber also assisting on the play. Within thirty seconds Phil Gerber scored a goal of his own as Freshman Joey Resch passed him the puck in front of the Bulldog net, Steve Krates also assisting. The Illini power play units would also add a couple of more goals by the halfway point in the period, the first one going to Fabbrini, Coleman, and Duncan and the second going to Resch, Gerber, and Krates. Before the period was over, Sophomore Alex Tauchen would send a laser shot past the Ferris State goaltender, giving the Illini an 8-0 lead. In the third period, the Illini power play would put another point on the board as Brett Duncan would put the rebounded puck into the net. The Bulldogs power play unit would also give them their first point of that game as they were able to get the puck past Illini Freshman goaltender, Doug George. Junior Mike Roesch would put the Illini into the double digits on the score board as he faked out the Ferris State goalie, Rogers and Coleman also helping out on the play. Before the end of the game, the Bulldogs would put another power play goal on the board topping off the nights scoring at 10-2.
The Illini head to Ames Iowa next week to face the Cyclones of Iowa State to kick off their CSCHL games.