Illinois (8-4-2-2, 10 points) takes on Cincinnati (10-2-8-0, 4 points) in a two-game set this weekend on the road. These games follow Illinois’ competition against Illinois State (11-7-4-0, 14 points), in which it dropped both games. The Illini fell 6-2 in Game 1 and later surrendered a 2-1 third-period lead for a 4-2 loss in Game 2. 

Reflect and refocus

Although the Illini outshot the Redbirds 13-5 in the first period of Game 1, Illinois struggled to capitalize offensively and defensive breakdowns allowed Illinois State to take control. However, the Illini responded with a stronger performance in Game 2. 

Goals from junior forward Louis Iandoli and sophomore forward Henry Feeley helped the team carry its 2-1 lead into the third period. However, three unanswered Redbird goals sealed the sweep for Illinois State. 

Missed scoring chances and defensive-zone turnovers proved costly for Illinois, highlighting the need to take advantage of opportunities and protect the puck against Cincinnati. As the Illini attempt to move past those struggles, senior defenseman Emmitt Joy stressed the mindset the team wants to bring into the weekend. 

“We want to be a hard team to play against, and that has been our biggest focus in practice this week,” Joy wrote in an email interview with The Daily Illini.

Despite last weekend’s challenges, the Illini showed resilience in its play, battling for loose pucks and keeping pressure on the Redbirds’ defense as they fought to get back in the game. Illinois will want to carry that persistence and tenacity into the Cincinnati series, while tightening its own defense and finding more success around the net. 

“I think our physical play was a big positive for us last weekend,” wrote freshman goaltender Socrates Kapotas in an email interview to The DI. “We also felt as a group that … we were more consistent throughout all three periods and showed that we can create a lot of quality scoring opportunities off the rush when playing the right way. If we can bring that same level of competition and generate scoring chances, we’ll be in a good place this weekend.”

Pressure without penalties

The Illini and Bearcats met for the first time last year in Illinois’ final series of the 2025-26 season. Illinois’ power play helped secure the sweep against Cincinnati, winning 4-2 in Game 1 and 5-3 in Game 2, but Illini penalties also gave the Bearcats a chance to get back into the game. 

Special teams had a hand in the teams’ previous matchup, with Illinois and Cincinnati totaling 28 power play opportunities across the two games. The Illini capitalized on three of its 13 power play chances, one that cut the Bearcats’ lead in Game 1. However, Cincinnati also scored three times on its 15 chances with an extra skater. 

Penalties proved costly in Game 2, as the Bearcats scored twice on the power play in the third period, which cut Illinois’ three-goal lead to just one. Building on the lessons from the Illinois State matchup, Joy emphasized discipline and finishing scoring chances — both at even strength and on the power play — as points of emphasis this upcoming weekend.     

“We ran into a very physical Illinois State team and we expect Cincinnati to be the same,” Joy wrote. “We want to be a hard team to play against and that has been the focus this week.”

Illini players on the bench get ready to high-five their teammates after a goal against the Iowa State Cyclones on Oct. 9, 2026. (Emma Trottier)

Offensive edge

Illinois’ roster has scoring depth that Cincinnati lacks. Between the two teams, the Illini’s scoresheet is more balanced among its leading players, while one Bearcat stands well ahead of his teammates. 

Senior forward David Etingen and junior forward David Ras share the lead as top contributors to Illinois offense with 8 points each, and senior forward Arthur Pawlik trails close behind with 7 points. Freshman forward Connor Lemmerbrock leads the Bearcats with 12 points — five ahead of their next-highest scorer. 

Cincinnati’s junior forward Matthew Bauman poses a threat to Illinois’ special teams, having scored three of his four goals on the power play this season. Staying out of the penalty box will be crucial for the Illini to limit Bauman and the Bearcats’ power play opportunities. 

“Cincinnati is a big-physical team, however they were a passive team defensively last year,” Joy wrote. “If that still holds true for them this year, we need to play a fast and aggressive game offensively.”

Bringing it together

According to Kapotas, Illinois has prioritized its intensity ahead of the Cincinnati games. Players are challenging one another to increase their effort in the small details of puck movement through the middle of the ice and out of their defensive end. 

“A big focus for practice the last few days has been competing,” Kapotas wrote. “We’ve done a lot of battle drills and small area drills to push each other to compete hard every day. We’ve also set aside time to continue working on some foundations of our game, especially in the neutral zone and on our breakouts.”

Beyond gameplay, Kapotas echoed a similar sentiment to that of Iandoli following Illinois’ sweep of Iowa State (9-2-6-0, 5 points). Iandoli stressed the importance of keeping their game simple, playing with strength and speed, all while sustaining the same effort through all 60 minutes of regulation. As for Kapotas, establishing that approach early will be key for a successful weekend against Cincinnati. 

“I think (success) always starts with playing to our identity right away,” Kapotas wrote. “Being physical, staying disciplined and being strong on both blue lines are all things that help us be successful. If we establish that in the first 10 minutes of the game, the scoring chances will come.” 

As a senior, Joy brings an experienced perspective to the Illini’s drive towards greater consistency and teamwork. He emphasized that its success depends on each player embracing their individual responsibilities, while building trust and working together throughout the game. 

“The keys to get everyone moving in the same direction will be to play our roles and compete at a high level,” Joy wrote. “We have to trust each other most importantly, and if we focus on the process, the outcome will take care of itself.” 

Illinois takes on Cincinnati Friday at 8 p.m. CDT and Saturday at noon CDT, with both games taking place at the Queen City Sportsplex in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

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