February 21, 2006
IceHawks Falter at DePaul, Secure No. 2 Seed
IceHawks Falter at DePaul, Secure No. 2 Seed
The University of Iowa Hockey team headed to DePaul this past weekend for the final
conference games of the regular season. The Hawkeyes began the weekend with 25
points, 3 behind MACHA leading DePaul, and in need of a sweep of the Blue Demons
in order to finish first in the regular season. Instead, the Hawks lost both games as
DePaul handed Iowa their third winless series and one of the few disappointments
they have experienced this season.
On Friday night Iowa fell behind quickly as the Blue Demons scored twice within the
first 3:30. The game was then halted after Iowa's Ken Galinski was checked into the
boards behind the Iowa net and the glass shattered. After nearly fifteen minutes of
rink personnel attempting to make adequate repairs the game was finally resumed
after new glass was in place. The Hawks used the break to their advantage as it
killed DePaul's momentum and the Hawkeyes stepped up their play. However, Iowa
could not get one past the Blue Demon's goaltender despite repeated opportunities
and the period would end with the Hawks down by the score of 2-0.
Iowa closed the gap to one on a goal by Mike Giles just seconds into the second
period. Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, DePaul answered right back with a score of
their own to keep their lead at two. The Blue Demons also scored the next two goals
to give them a 5-1 advantage. Kevin Lorenz closed the gap to 3 with 8:57 remaining
in the period on a pass from Nick Giardini but once again DePaul answered as they
scored with 3:42 remaining. Jamie Elliott scored for Iowa with 1:41 left in the second
to make it 6-3 after the second.
Elliott scored his second of the game 1:40 into the third to cut DePaul's lead to 2.
However, this is as close as the Hawkeyes would come as the Blue Demons
outscored the Hawks 4-2 in the remainder of the period to make the final 10-6 in
favor of DePaul. With the win the Blue Demons cemented their first place regular
season finish and guaranteed themselves the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
Friday's loss rendered Saturday's game meaningless in terms of playoff implications
as Iowa already had the No. 2 seed in the playoffs locked up before the weekend
series against DePaul began. Pride was apparently not enough to get Iowa going on
Saturday as they lost again, this time by the score of 10-4.
DePaul's sweep of Iowa made them only the third team to finish the regular season
with a winning record against the Hawks. McKendree and Iowa State D1 were the
only other teams to accomplish that feat. McKendree finished the season with 24
conference points to take the No. 3 seed in the MACHA playoffs. The No. 2 IceHawks
will take on No. 3 McKendree this Saturday, February 25th in Danville, IL as the
teams meet at 3:00 PM at David S. Palmer Arena in a fight to determine who
advances to the MACHA Championship on Sunday.
*Notes: UI Sophmore Joe Fruin missed Saturday's game after sustaining a shoulder
injury on Friday night and will be unable to participate in the final weekend of the
season... Assistant Captain James Hayes was unavailable for the weekend due to
prior commitments.
conference games of the regular season. The Hawkeyes began the weekend with 25
points, 3 behind MACHA leading DePaul, and in need of a sweep of the Blue Demons
in order to finish first in the regular season. Instead, the Hawks lost both games as
DePaul handed Iowa their third winless series and one of the few disappointments
they have experienced this season.
On Friday night Iowa fell behind quickly as the Blue Demons scored twice within the
first 3:30. The game was then halted after Iowa's Ken Galinski was checked into the
boards behind the Iowa net and the glass shattered. After nearly fifteen minutes of
rink personnel attempting to make adequate repairs the game was finally resumed
after new glass was in place. The Hawks used the break to their advantage as it
killed DePaul's momentum and the Hawkeyes stepped up their play. However, Iowa
could not get one past the Blue Demon's goaltender despite repeated opportunities
and the period would end with the Hawks down by the score of 2-0.
Iowa closed the gap to one on a goal by Mike Giles just seconds into the second
period. Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, DePaul answered right back with a score of
their own to keep their lead at two. The Blue Demons also scored the next two goals
to give them a 5-1 advantage. Kevin Lorenz closed the gap to 3 with 8:57 remaining
in the period on a pass from Nick Giardini but once again DePaul answered as they
scored with 3:42 remaining. Jamie Elliott scored for Iowa with 1:41 left in the second
to make it 6-3 after the second.
Elliott scored his second of the game 1:40 into the third to cut DePaul's lead to 2.
However, this is as close as the Hawkeyes would come as the Blue Demons
outscored the Hawks 4-2 in the remainder of the period to make the final 10-6 in
favor of DePaul. With the win the Blue Demons cemented their first place regular
season finish and guaranteed themselves the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
Friday's loss rendered Saturday's game meaningless in terms of playoff implications
as Iowa already had the No. 2 seed in the playoffs locked up before the weekend
series against DePaul began. Pride was apparently not enough to get Iowa going on
Saturday as they lost again, this time by the score of 10-4.
DePaul's sweep of Iowa made them only the third team to finish the regular season
with a winning record against the Hawks. McKendree and Iowa State D1 were the
only other teams to accomplish that feat. McKendree finished the season with 24
conference points to take the No. 3 seed in the MACHA playoffs. The No. 2 IceHawks
will take on No. 3 McKendree this Saturday, February 25th in Danville, IL as the
teams meet at 3:00 PM at David S. Palmer Arena in a fight to determine who
advances to the MACHA Championship on Sunday.
*Notes: UI Sophmore Joe Fruin missed Saturday's game after sustaining a shoulder
injury on Friday night and will be unable to participate in the final weekend of the
season... Assistant Captain James Hayes was unavailable for the weekend due to
prior commitments.
