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TechnographPerfection on ice; Illini celebrate year
By Wes Anderson
Posted: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
Anything short of a national title may well have been a crushing disappointment. Even so, the reaction to the Illinois hockey club's 4-2 win over Lindenwood in the American Collegiate Hockey Association national championship game was anything but quiet satisfaction.
After the final seconds ticked away and victory was assured, a flurry of orange-trimmed helmets, gloves and sticks flew into the air, littering the ESL Sports Centre's ice rink.
Players and staff streamed from the bench and slammed the boards behind the Illinois goal, mobbing each other in a frenzied mix of euphoria, incredulity and relief.
Finally, after 38 consecutive victories this season, the Illini aren't pursuing perfection anymore - they're celebrating it.
"It's just unbelievable," senior captain Drew Heredia said. "We always talked about it in the locker room, and now it's finally over."
Head coach Chad Cassel was forced to remain stoic until every last nanosecond rolled off the clock.
"They had a bit of pressure on us, so until the clock was at zero I was still trying to figure out how to continue to shut them down," Cassel said.
Eventually, he joined his victorious team on the ice, and his celebratory embraces were in stark contrast to his formal suit.
"My initial reaction was kind of relief that it was over and that we accomplished everything we set out to do," Cassel said.
During an overwhelmingly successful year, the accolades Illinois collected are too numerous to mention in full.
The winningest season and senior class in club history. The first undefeated team. Regular season and conference tournament titles.
Yet beating the Lions for the fifth time this season secured what was by far the most significant honor.
"Our most important goal was to win the national championship," Cassel said. "Being able to accomplish that and have the perfect record, it's really amazing and it speaks volumes about the character of this team, the leadership, and how hard they've worked all season."
After the final seconds ticked away and victory was assured, a flurry of orange-trimmed helmets, gloves and sticks flew into the air, littering the ESL Sports Centre's ice rink.
Players and staff streamed from the bench and slammed the boards behind the Illinois goal, mobbing each other in a frenzied mix of euphoria, incredulity and relief.
Finally, after 38 consecutive victories this season, the Illini aren't pursuing perfection anymore - they're celebrating it.
"It's just unbelievable," senior captain Drew Heredia said. "We always talked about it in the locker room, and now it's finally over."
Head coach Chad Cassel was forced to remain stoic until every last nanosecond rolled off the clock.
"They had a bit of pressure on us, so until the clock was at zero I was still trying to figure out how to continue to shut them down," Cassel said.
Eventually, he joined his victorious team on the ice, and his celebratory embraces were in stark contrast to his formal suit.
"My initial reaction was kind of relief that it was over and that we accomplished everything we set out to do," Cassel said.
During an overwhelmingly successful year, the accolades Illinois collected are too numerous to mention in full.
The winningest season and senior class in club history. The first undefeated team. Regular season and conference tournament titles.
Yet beating the Lions for the fifth time this season secured what was by far the most significant honor.
"Our most important goal was to win the national championship," Cassel said. "Being able to accomplish that and have the perfect record, it's really amazing and it speaks volumes about the character of this team, the leadership, and how hard they've worked all season."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
CongratsIlliniHockey
posted 3/07/08 @ 10:28 AM CST
When the article says "The first undefeated team," does this mean the first undefeated team in Illinois history or the first in the ACHA? I'm curious to know if another team in the ACHA has had a season like this. (Continued…)
The Wild Hogs
posted 3/07/08 @ 12:03 PM CST
Not even on the front page? No Pictures?
This team just went a perfect 38-0!
No one cares about the underachieving basketball team.
Please... (Continued…)
hockey fan
posted 3/08/08 @ 12:29 PM CST
The football team here is marginally good, and that only happened last year. The basketball team is an embarrassment to the university. Do we even have any other sports? Doesn't matter, they probably suck too. (Continued…)
ben
posted 3/08/08 @ 5:06 PM CST
Hopefully this will provide the impetus for the athletic department to make hockey a varsity sport...
Shawn
posted 3/09/08 @ 11:39 PM CST
Congrates from way up north in Minot ND. Followed the team all year on the internet. Great Job!!! My 11yr old girl wears her orange illini cheif hockey jersey to hockey practice every night to celebrate the teams victorys. (Continued…)
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