No. 1 Illinois, the defending American Collegiate Hockey Association champs, brought their perfect record in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League into Bird Arena this past weekend.
The Bobcats sent them back to Champaign with a two-game stain on their record.
No. 2 Ohio (20-4-1, 14-0 CSCHL) won both games with the Fightin' Illini by scores of 4-3 and 4-1 on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. With the sweep, the Bobcats have tightened their grip on the CSCHL regular season title.
Goalie Ryan Baksh, who has a reputation of success in big games, said he was up to the challenge before the series with Illinois kicked off - and proved it. Saturday night, Baksh took a shutout into the third period. Two Ohio penalties left Baksh with three teammates and five Illinois players in front of him.
Illinois tried to get in Baksh's face in an attempt to rattle the goalie, but Baksh's teammates were constantly protecting him when an opposing player got too close to the crease.
Those guys have been there for me all year
Baksh said. We're like a family. We back each other up. We're a real tight-knit group.
Illinois forward Johnny Liang eventually ruined the shutout late in the game when he blasted the puck past Baksh, who had 27 saves.
It was a nice shot Baksh said. I didn't see it because my view was blocked. It had a lot on it though.
Liang had two goals Friday night and led the Fightin' Illini in scoring during the series. Joey Roesh scored the only other Illinois goal.
Ohio was led by Paul Warriner, who found the back of the net twice in each of this weekend's games.
This was one of the biggest weekends that I've had since being here Warriner said. It was big that it was against Illinois.
Ohio forward Jim Fuhs had one goal and six assists. Fuhs was also a main contributor on the special teams.
Jimmy was doing it all for us
Morris said after Friday's game. He got a little tired there at the end
but that's just conditioning
and we'll get him ready.
Brandon Hanley, Brandon Steffek and Clay LaBrosse had goals for Ohio.
It doesn't get any easier for Illinois as the team travels to Penn State next weekend.
It's two rough road trips
said Illinois coach Chad Cassel. We're not in school
so our players can just focus on hockey. Hopefully we'll do better at Penn State next weekend.
Cassel said he was a little disappointed with how his team did on special teams, but he gave credit to Ohio's performance on penalty kill.
Special teams are huge in games like this
Cassel said. (Ohio) outplayed us on special teams. They have a lot of weapons on power plays.
Friday night proved to be exciting with Ohio surrendering an early short-handed goal, but rallying to a 4-3 victory after dominating the second half of the game.
Warriner led the Bobcats, not only with points, but on the bench as well.
Bobcat coach Dan Morris said before the game that special teams would be crucial against Illinois. Ohio played spectacularly when Illinois was on the power play, surrendering just one power play goal in 13 Fightin' Illini chances.
Ohio was 3 for 13 on the power play for the weekend.
I had a good weekend
but our penalty kill was phenomenal
Baksh said. We're used to killing penalties. When it's five-on-four I'm not even worried.
The Bobcats are at home against Kent State this weekend.
