Posted: 1/28/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Brad Vest The Illinois hockey team explodes in celebration after a Joey Resch score during the 11th round of the overtime shootout during Saturday night's game against Ohio. Illinois came back from a 2-0 deficit and won the shootout.

If anyone needed convincing that the matchup between Illinois and Ohio was one of the most exciting rivalries in club hockey, this weekend's series did the trick.

With huge crowds packing the modest confines of the Ice Arena, the Illini swept the arch-rival Bobcats in dramatic fashion, earning a physical 5-0 victory Friday before grinding out an exhausting 2-1 win Saturday in an epic 11-round sudden death shootout.



Goaltender Mike Burda made 42 saves on 43 shots starting both games, while Joey Resch sent the Bobcats packing with a game-winning goal in the shootout.

"It was unbelievable," center Drew Heredia said. "We've never beaten Ohio twice as long as I've been here; it's always tough to get wins against them."

The Illini shut out the Bobcats on Friday with four third-period goals in a gritty contest littered with penalties. Three fights broke out, and two players, including defenseman Pat Mannina, received game disqualifications.

"All four lines were just rolling, playing really well (on Friday)," head coach Chad Cassel said.

Early in Saturday's game a sweep appeared certain as the Illini scored just more than two minutes into the first period. But after Ohio's Jeff Jepson tied the game at 1-1 with a shorthanded goal in the second period, neither team would find the net again in regulation. A five-minute overtime also went scoreless.

In the best-of-five shootout, the Illini fell behind 2-0 after three rounds, putting their backs against the wall. With one more goal or one more save, Ohio would win the game.

Incredibly, however, the Illini found a way to keep their perfect season alive.

Continued...

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