EIU Hockey1EIU Sweeps SIUE Colonels

September 30 EIU - 3 SIUE - 1

EIU came into their first game of the season weary after the 'reconstruction' of the team that took place over the summer. "The team is focusing on being more disciplined, while remaining a physical and competitive team this season" says captain Brad Bartosz. This may be true, however EIU took 9 penalties the first game of their season. "Although we may have taken some bad penalties, the bench is less vocal and much more disciplined this year" quotes team president and assistant captain Mike Sorrentino. EIU started the game off keeping the puck in the Cougars end for a majority of the first period. The team was keeping minimal shots, only totaling 9 in the first period opposed to the Cougars 12. Scoring finally struck in the second period when veteran Sam Guttosch found the twine on a Power Play assisted by Mike Sorrentino and defenseman Jack McDonnell. Going into the third period EIU tallied 9 shots to SIUE's 11 with the score 1-0 EIU. The third period started off with a few penalties for EIU, in which the team was forced to play 5 on 3. The boys did a good job on the penalty kill and were soon back to even strength with no damage done. Shortly after the penalty kill, rookie defenseman Hank Capouch found the back of the net with assists from veterans Tim Shannon and Jack McDonnell. With 6:46 left in the third period the Cougars struck the board when center Kevin Greer put one behind EIU's Andrew Teske. EIU responded quickly to this goal when rookie left winger Jake Armijo put home a lazer of a snapshot 25 seconds after the Cougar's goal. Armijo's goal was assisted by his veteran linemate Zach Yurchak.

Coach Runnion commented after the game saying that the boys looked decent for their first game however they needed much more improvement and discipline to keep them out of the box. He also commended the Cougar's goaltender Jake Davis for facing 31 shots and allowing 3 goals.

Team Goals Assists Shots Penalty Minutes PPG SHG PP % Goalie Save %
EIU 3 5 31 23 1 0 20% 97.22%
SIUE 1 0 36 11 0 0 0% 90.32%


October 1 EIU - 5 SIUE - 1

Coming off of a 3-1 victory, EIU came into game two of the season with spirits high knowing that they will have to do alot different from last game in order to pull off another victory. "We need to focus more on shooting the puck when entering the offensive zone and staying out of the box today" veteran and assistant captain Connor Maly told the team before the game. The team succeeded on shooting the puck more (totaling 38 shots), however did not stay out of the box nearly as much as they had hoped totaling 29 penalty minutes to SIUE's 29 penalty minutes. EIU started the scoring off in the first period when rookie Kevin Maras found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career, assisted by rookie Zach Ciszek. After the first EIU was leading with 1 - 0 totalling 14 shots. Late in the first assistant captain Mike Sorrentino was sent off of the ice with an undisclosed lower body injury. Details will be available shortly on his return. To start the second, the Cougars found themselves taking 3 penalties in a row before EIU took one. EIU capitalized on this opportunity by scoring a power play goal 17 seconds into the second period. The power play goal was scored on a one-time slapshot from the point shot by rookie defenseman Kyle Clark and assisted by Brad Bartosz and Jake Armijo. Shortly after that, Eastern Illinois found the scoreboard again when assistant captain Connor Maly tipped Brad Bartosz's slapshot past the Cougar Goalie. "Well it was a nice miss by Toszer" stated Connor Maly about the tip in goal. 31 seconds into the 3rd period the Cougars caught EIU on their heels when Jeffery Gaskill scored on a one timer in the slot from Max Suits. EIU began to take penalties and started digging themselves into a hole allowing the Cougars to face many scoring opportunities. Luckily, veteran Dan Abernethy sparked the team's spirits again when scoring an unnassisted shorthanded goal. Not even a full minute after Abernethy's short handed tally, Connor Maly scored with the help of his linemate Jake Armijo. The final of the game resulted with EIU - 5 and 38 shots and SIUE - 1 with 17 shots.

Coach Runnion reported after the game that he cannot complain with another victory against a great opponant such as SIUE; however he feels the team has alot of work that needs to be accomploshed, such as staying disciplined and out of the box. I enjoy coming to Edwardsville and playing the Cougars because they show nothing but great competition and hospitality. Also, he quoted "It was an interesting and delightful experience to meet coaches, such as the ones from Minnesota that played before us. They taught me ways to get the team motivated and were able to hold great conversation."

Team Goals Assists Shots Penalty Minutes PPG SHG PP % Goalie Save %
EIU 5 4 38 29 1 1 11.11% 94.12%
SIUE 1 1 17 29 0 0 0% 86.84%