EIU Hockey News
EIU Ends Losing Streak in Iowa
Cox awaits to take the ice (photo courtesy of Jack Sheehan)EIU Hockey Featured as EIU's Inaugural RSO of the Month!
Eastern Illinois University recognizes the EIU Hockey Team as the school's Inaugural RSO (Registered Student Organization) of the month. EIU featured the team in their EIU 360 reporting series in which the team was featured in two videos and a very interesting writeup. EIU reporters and camera men attended practices, games, and workout sessions in order to obtain proper exposure of the team. This video includes a GoPro camera attached to captain Mike Sorrentino's helmet for a close view of the practice. "This is a huge honor for the team and really has the guys excited." quotes senior forward Conner Cox. EIU Hockey's Mike Sorrentino and Conner Cox lead interviews in the video and describe the team's season and the atmosphere of the organization. "This is the first time I have seen such recognition from the school since I have been a member of EIU Hockey. I really hope this type of relationship continues and improves the club in the future." quotes senior defenseman Brad Bartosz.
In addition to the EIU 360 series, the Panthers have also been featured in the school's weekly newspaper. The writeups feature game recaps, team information, and current EIU Hockey News. Their fan base is constantly growing and EIU Hockey seems to be the new 'buzz' around campus.
EIU Prepared to Regroup in Iowa
The Panthers travel to Iowa to play in a Sunday and Monday game series. The Panthers are on a 4 game losing streak and needs to find a way out of this trend. The team has been hit hard defensively with Brad Bartosz (still on IR), Jack McDonnell, and Hank Capouch all missing from the lineup. The team has made adjustments and moved Ryan Newton back to defense. Newton, normally an EIU forward, was featured back in the lineup against ISU. He notched his first season goal from the defensive position and has been making huge strides as a defensive force. In addition, Zach Yurchak is featured back in the lineup after being put on IR for a while. Yurchak has been skating at practice the past few weeks and feels that he is back to full health and hit the ice this weekend at Iowa. "Newton on Defense gives us some depth back on the blue line, he did a terrific job against ISU. Because we are short defensemen it is great that we are able to put him back there without any worries. As for Zach returning our line up, it's a huge advantage. He has the skill to put the puck in the net every shift and I know he is eager to get back out there and ligh a few lamps." says veteran forward Andrew Maronich. Maronich has been seen as an upcoming leader on the EIU team. Maronich has also promised the DEN, Eastern Illinois Univeristy's campus newspaper, a pair of wins this weekend in Iowa.
Panthers fall to Redbirds
Mike Sorrentino prepares for the game (Photo courtesy of Jack Sheehan)In Friday’s game the RedBirds (19-4-1) were able to take advantage of a beaten up Panther defense while ISU goalie Scott Czarnik stopped all 12 Panther shots on goal, notching his second shut-out of the season as the RedBirds won 12-0 in Kankakee.More of the game recap here!
Panthers Prepared to Resume Play Against the Redbirds
The Eastern Illinois Panthers will get back on the ice this weekend against the Illinois State University Redbirds after a month-long break for the holiday season. After being swept by Missouri State in their last action on the ice, the Panthers will look to get back on track this weekend. Although that may be easier said than done. The Redbirds are coming off a two game sweep of the Loyola University Ramblers where the combined goal differential in the series was 24:2 in favor of ISU. More of the story here!
The Panthers Prepare for the Ice Bears with a Short Bench
The Eastern Illinois Panthers are coming off their first shutout of the season after beating the University of Louisville 3-0 last Saturday in Danville. Although the Panthers were not able to sweep the weekend series vs the Cardinals (losing Friday 5-4), the shutout on Saturday is just what the Panthers need to rejuvenate the team on the defensive end of the ice. The Panthers are allowing just under four goals per game this season in MACHA play, and they will need to continue to improve in that category if they want to keep winning this season. More of the Story Here...
The Panthers Split with Cardinals
EIU faced off against Lousiville for their first games after a week off for Thanksgiving. EIU, still missing Bartosz and Yurchak, planned on making a few changes in the lineup in order to see which pairings would spark some chemistry for the team. Senior forward Tim Shannon recorded his first collegiate Hat-Trick on Friday evening, but unfortunately that was not enough to lift the Panthers over the Cardinals. EIU's own media coordinator, Jack Sheehan, has his weekend recap available here!
The Panthers Prepare to Host Louisville
The Panthers will host the Louisville University Cardinals this weekend at EIU’s home barn in Danville, IL. This will mark the first home game series for Eastern since the first weekend of the season, when they swept Wisconsin-Milwaukee.Click here for more of the story!! The games will also be broadcasted by EIU's own Jack Sheehan.Tune in here!
EIU Takes 3 points from NIU
The Panthers traveled to NIU for the weekend. This weekend of games marked the last set of games before the team received a week break for Thanksgiving. EIU looked very strong both games and battled the Huskies. Friday's nights game was a tragic loss for the Panthers, once again falling in overtime. "The positive thing we can take from this game is that we never gave up. Being down goals, we continued to battle and brought the game into overtime." stated veteran forward Sam Guttasch. Saturday's game ended in a different manner, the Panthers defeating the ranked Huskies 3-2. Zach Yurchak did not play in Saturday's game due to a grade 2 MCL tear. Yurchak, having two goals and an assist in Friday's game, was missed in the lineup Saturday. "With two of our better players out going into a tough part of our season, we need some guys to step up" Coach Brad Piercy stated. Yurchak's return to the ice is still unknown.Weekend Game Recap
EIU Splits with Illinois
Yurchak wheeling around UofI defenders (courtesy of Jack Sheehan)Saturday's Game
EIU Looks to Continue Winning Streak at Illinois
This is the first time that EIU will be battling Illinois in the past four years. "I think I am the only guy on the team that has played in an EIU @ Illinois game...Wow!" quotes veteran defenseman Brad Bartosz. The game has been getting press coverage and expecting a pretty decent showing. The Friday night faceoff is at 10:20 P.M. and Saturday's at 4:20 P.M.
EIU Sweeps Indiana University DIII
EIU traveled to Indianapolis this weekend to face off with IU's Division 3 squad. The team, coming off of a split with Loyola, is given a chance to pull above .500 for the season record. The Panthers were also recharged with veteran power-forward Sam Guttasch returning to the lineup. Guttasch is fully recovered after knee surgery on his ACL and MCL. "The whole atmosphere seems normal again with Gucci back in the uni" quotes assistant captain Brad Bartosz. The puck dropped at 8:30 P.M. Eastern Time..More of the story Here!