From The Daily Illini
By Peter Jakubiak
Illinois (4-0-0) stayed perfect on the season after taking down the Louisville Cardinals (4-4-0) in back-to-back games at the University Ice Arena. The Illini eked out a 4-3 win Friday before a dominant 6-2 victory Saturday.
Mitchell’s hat trick seals tight win
Friday’s opener belonged to sophomore forward Carson Mitchell, who recorded a hat trick — capped by the game-winner with less than two minutes to play.
Mitchell scored once in the first period, then struck again just 54 seconds into the second. He delivered the late dagger after Louisville clawed back to tie the game.
Senior forward Gregory Etingen also found the net on the power play midway through the second, giving Illinois an extra push before Mitchell sealed the victory.
Graduate student goaltender Nolan Woodring made 29 saves in the win. Louisville senior goalie Luke Brzezinski turned away 46 shots in a valiant effort.
Illinois dominates physical matchup
Illinois flipped the script Saturday, shaking off a 2-1 first-period deficit in a bruising, penalty-filled game.
The Illini have trailed early in all four games this season, giving up the first goal in three of them. Illinois has shown an ability to rally, and Saturday was no different.
“I have liked our responses to adversity early in games,” said head coach John Opilka. “That being said, we need to do a better job starting on time so we do not have to chase the lead from the start.”
Junior forward Arthur Pawlik tied it early in the second, and junior forward David Etingen buried the go-ahead minutes later. The Illini then blew it open in the third, scoring three times in seven minutes. Sophomore forward Louis Iandoli put an exclamation mark on his 4-point performance with his first goal of the year.
Junior forward Jacob Rozanski and sophomore forward Nicholas Scavone also scored in the final frame. Woodring finished with 28 saves. Illinois’ penalty kill stayed perfect, shutting down all six Louisville power plays.
“Our penalty kill has been great,” Opilka said. “We’re doing a good job getting in shooting lanes and getting clears.”
Opilka said that while he’s glad the penalty kill is off to a hot start, he would prefer to wear teams down during five-on-five play.
Next up: Roosevelt
The Illini seek to keep the winning streak alive when they take on the Roosevelt Lakers (1-1-0) this weekend. Friday’s game will be at the Ice Arena, while the Illini head to The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois, for Saturday’s contest.
(Originally published at https://dailyillini.com/sports-stories/mens-sports/hockey/2025/09/30/mitchells-leads-illinois-louisville/)
