Illini face off against Western Michigan

November 18, 2004 - The last time that the Illini played the Stallions of Western Michigan was at the CSCHL playoffs last February, where the Illini won the meeting 9-3, and the Stallions have been on a losing skid since. The Stallions actually haven't won a game since Friday the 13th of February, 2004, a day in which most people consider unlucky.

Even though Western Michigan is struggling with a painful 0-12 record this season, the Illini aren't taking them lightly or looking past them, they know what a team that is down and looking for "something" can do. The Stallions have played other teams well this season and haven't given anyone a free pass, even coming back from a 5-1 deficit to tie up the game against Iowa State last weekend, only to lose by a goal in the last minutes of the third.

To come out ahead in these games the Illini are going to have to get past the Stallion defense, who have been stingy this season when it comes to the number of shots they allow on goal, and get some quality shots toward the net. Western Michigan's weak spot appears to be in the net, with their goaltenders allowing an average of over five goals per game.

These two games are each worth four CSCHL points, something both teams would like to get there hands on. These games are both at the Lawson Ice Arena on the Western Michigan campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan, start times are at 7:30pm.