CHAMPAIGN – Despite a heroic performance from junior goaltender Grant Goodson, NIU hockey (0-3) couldn’t find any offense in its 4-0 shutout loss to the University of Illinois (1-0) Friday.
The Huskies have lost their first three contests, giving up 16 goals and scoring just 5.
“Right now, we’re in a rough spot as a team,” head coach Brad Stoffers said. “We got to find a way to not lose games first. I think there’s different levels of where we’re at, and right now, we’re near the bottom.”
KEEPING IT CLOSE
While the NIU attack struggled to maintain pressure in the offensive zone, Goodson turned away 37 Illinois shots over the 60 minute contest to keep the game within reach for NIU.
“He’s (Goodson) an amazing goaltender and made a lot of really great saves today,” junior defenseman Luke Marks said. “He was in on a two-on-one by himself, and he got two shots and completely shut them down. He made a ton of ridiculous saves today.”
For much of the first period, Goodson was faced with shots from Illinois attackers as NIU was whistled for four penalties in the frame.
Goodson credited his defense for clearing Illinois players from the front of the net, allowing him to easily track most of the shots that came towards him.
“It really goes out to our defense. The defense kept all the shots from the perimeter,” Goodson said. “If they’re just … walking around the outside, I’m seeing everything. They’re moving guys in front of me.”
NO ESCAPE
NIU played on a wider than normal ice surface, creating more space on the ice to find the open man to pass to.
Despite having more time and space than they are used to, the Huskies struggled to use that in both the offensive and defensive zones.
“It should be easier to find guys on a big rink like this,” Stoffers said. “We struggled with puck support – movement away from the puck and then talk. Those are two things you got to have. That’s how you play fast … you got to talk to each other, and you got to be close to the puck so you can make passes.”
Marks said the size of the rink is an adjustment, meaning the team needs to commit to a certain playstyle.
“We tried to imitate them a little too much,” Marks said. “They liked the fly guy, and I don’t think we’re that type of team. I think we have to stay put a little more or we have to completely buy into it and fly a lot of guys and have somebody at the far blue line almost the whole game.”
LOOKING AHEAD
The Huskies have another shot at Illinois on Saturday and will be looking to secure that elusive first win of the season.
“We got to come out faster,” Goodson said. “We got to jump on the board early. I think getting that first goal is huge for us … we convert that first one, our energy is going to be way up.”
After another disappointing outcome, Stoffers said the key to turning things around starts from within their own locker room.
“I don’t think there’s anything they do. I think it’s all on us right now,” Stoffers said. “We could give a much better effort, and we can stay more disciplined. I think it’s got to start there, preparation, you got to control what you can control.”
The Huskies close out their series with Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday at the UI Ice Arena in Champaign, Illinois. The game will be streamed on Illini Hockey Broadcasting.
