Redbird Hockey Shines Against Rivals

NORMAL, Ill. – This weekend was a busy one for ISU Hockey, as all four teams would play. D1 would take on heated rival University of Illinois at home, D2 would travel to DePaul, D3 would host Northern Illinois, and ISU Roller would play in their second 4-game tournament. 

D1 would have a close start to game 1, as they would be tied with Illinois 3 to 3. However, the Redbirds would put on the pressure, scoring 2 more in the 2nd, as they would end up winning 6-4.

Game 2 would be more of the same, as while the game would be close, the Redbirds wouldn’t give Illinois the lead as they would win 4-2. Rookie Joey Zullo would have a great weekend, scoring a goal and 3 assists on the weekend. 

D2 had a rough start to game 1, going down 3-1 after the first period. The Redbirds would crawl back, scoring goals in the second and third to tie it. However, with approximately 6 minutes left in the game, DePaul would score to retake the lead, and that would stand as the game-winner, with DePaul winning 4-3.

Game 2 would be less close as they would get shut out in a big 10-0 blowout win for DePaul. The D2 ‘Birds struggled with defense on the weekend, as they would allow 108 shots over the course of their 2 games.

D3 would continue their dominance over Northern Illinois, sweeping them once again. Game 1 would be close, as it would be tied after the first period. But the Redbirds would score 2 more goals in the 3rd to get their third win of NIU.

Game 2 continued the dominance for the Redbirds, as after a seemingly close game tied 2-2 in the second, the ‘Birds would pour on the goals, winning 6-2. The D3 Redbirds have now won all four games against Northern Illinois. Forward Aidan Krieble would score a goal and an assist in game 1, and defenseman Andrew Capuano would score 2 goals and an assist in game 2.

ISU D3 Roller Hockey would travel to Indianapolis for their second tournament of the year. Their first game was a rematch between rival Maryville. The Redbirds would start slow, going down 3-0 in the first period, but would rally back, and pull out the win 8-7. Forward Jack Johnsen would get player of the game as he scored a hat trick, an assist, and had 2 big blocked shots at the end of the game.

Game 2 would be a lot less close, as the Redbirds dominated Purdue, winning 12-0. Goalie Jared Petrin would get player of the game as he earned his first NCRHA shutout, and defenseman Jake Otto would score 5 goals. 

Game 3 would be another rematch, this time against 2022-23 division winner Missouri S&T. After a close first period leaving the game tied 1-1, the Redbirds would pour on the goals, winning 10-4. The game was chippy near the end, as two ISU players and one Missouri S&T player would be ejected in the final period. Defenseman Ryan Shean would get player of the game with 4 points and multiple blocked shots, and forward Shane Dotto would score 5 goals in the win.

Game 4 was against Ohio State, and this one would have a lot fewer goals. The Redbirds would dominate possession the entire game, as they would win 5-1. Forward Shane Dotto would get player of the game with 3 goals and an assist. With that win the Redbirds officially went 4-0 on the weekend, which is the first time the ‘Birds went undefeated on a weekend since pre-covid.

Next week will be a busy one for ice hockey, as D1 will travel to play Northern Illinois, D2 will also travel to play the University of Iowa, and D3 will host Northwestern. ISU Roller Hockey will be on break until next semester.