Rookie Zullo Lights Lamp for his first as Hockey ‘Birds Split
Written by Dylan Skeen on October 3, 2023
Image courtesy of ISU hockey
NORMAL, Ill – Illinois State University Hockey was split this weekend as the #15 ranked D1 team stayed at home to take on the #23 ranked University of Mary Marauders, as the D3 team left town to face the Purdue Boilermakers.
The D1 team managed to sneak out a win over the Marauders in game one, winning in the shootout, 4-3. Mitch Oberlag and Mike Sliwinski both scored, with Joey Zullo not only scoring his first collegiate goal but also winning it for the Redbirds in the shootout, being the only player to score.
Game two was tougher for the Redbirds, as after a 1-1 tie going into the second, they would let up 5 more goals en route to a 2-6 loss. Drew Shadle would score, along with captain Tony Campise scoring his 100th collegiate goal for the Redbirds in the loss, putting their record at an even 3-3-0.
Meanwhile, the D3 team had an even tougher time on the road. Game one would get out of hand in the second, allowing 3 goals. After allowing 2 more in the third, the game would end with a final score of 6-1.
Game two didn’t favor the Redbirds either, as a lopsided shot differential of 52-8 would lead to another Redbirds loss, 5-1. Blaze Janecke scored both goals for the Redbirds as they remain winless this season through 6 games.
This coming weekend all 3 Redbird teams will compete in doubleheaders. D1 will travel to North Dakota to take on the 2-3-0 University of Jamestown. Meanwhile, the D2 team has a home advantage, as Southern Illinois will travel up for an in-state matchup. Finally, the D3 team will travel to the University of Arkansas to take on the 3-3-0 Razorbacks.
