Illinois (2-1-0-1, 3pts.) will take on Waldorf (4-3-0-1, 7pts.) in a two-game matchup over Homecoming weekend. After trading results with Michigan State in its season opener last weekend, Illinois showed promise and confidence heading into the year.  

Promising start

Opening weekend showed senior forward and team captain David Etingen that his group has the foundations to build on through the season. He sees a substantial amount of chemistry between the team already.

Illinois suffered an overtime loss after a close first game against Michigan State. Despite the loss, the Illini proved they could keep up with the Spartans’ offensive pressure, play a physical game and generate scoring chances.

Keeping the puck in the Spartans’ offensive zone was an area that the Illini struggled with in Game 1. Junior forward Carson Mitchell explained that lack of force was costly for his team. 

“We struggled to hold onto the momentum once we got it,” Mitchell wrote.  

Game 2 took Illini fans by surprise, though, as junior goaltender Grady Sulkin only allowed one goal, while the Illini sank eight goals into the Spartan net. Etingen had a standout game – scoring four goals. 

Junior forward Nicholas Scavone explained that Illinois’ victory came from its offense and physicality. 

“Last week’s success came from getting traffic into the net, aggressive forechecking and playing below the goal line,” Scavone wrote. 

Defensive details

In preparation for Waldorf, the team focused on the nitty-gritty of its defense. 

“This week’s practices focused on correcting the small details from the Michigan State series, specifically back pressure and defensive zone coverage,” Scavone wrote. 

As a team leader, Mitchell emphasized that practices following its Michigan State series would focus on players’ aggressiveness – an aspect of their game he felt was lacking. 

“I think defensive zone responsibilities and bearing down on 50/50 pucks is something we will work on heavily this week,” Mitchell wrote. “Those were the main two areas that we struggled with this past weekend.” 

Next challenge

Heading into this weekend’s matches, Illinois should expect to compete against a team that generates offensive chances early in the game. In its most recent game against Central Oklahoma (5-2-1-1, 6pts.), Waldorf split the weekend, suffering one 4-3 loss and one 3-2 overtime win. In its first game, Waldorf struck early, building a 3-1 opening lead against Central Oklahoma. 

Waldorf also has a high offensive pressure potential. In its second game, Waldorf outshot Central Oklahoma 54-41, suggesting it knows how to maintain its time in the offensive zone. Illinois’ focus on defensive zone responsibilities in practice this week will be crucial to keeping a lead against Waldorf.   

Similarly to Michigan State, Waldorf has already gotten a head start on the season. This weekend against Illinois will be its third set of games, compared to Illinois heading into its second set. In five games, Waldorf’s junior forward Zak Molstad has racked up 5 goals and 1 assist, and freshman forward Brandon Piwko has 4 goals and 2 assists in five games played.

Compared to Illinois, after just two games, Etingen has totaled 4 goals in two games played, and three Illini have 2 goals in two games. This outcome of the weekend’s series could rest on whether Illinois can minimize scoring chances for Waldorf’s top line of scorers, and emphasize setting up its own scoring chances. 

Home ice awaits

Illinois is set to face off against Waldorf at 7 p.m. both Friday, Oct. 2nd and Saturday, Oct. 3rd in the University of Illinois Ice Arena. 

“I am excited to compete with and represent the Illinois logo in front of our great crowd,” Scavone wrote. 

 [email protected] 

About the Contributor