BLOOMINGTON, IL – Midwest College Hockey playoff titles hopes ended in overtime for #13 University of Mary. Weekend host Illinois State University scored less than six minutes into the extra session to claim a 4-3 win over the Marauders and advance to the semifinal round.
It was the third one-goal game this season between the two squads. UMary swept a 2-game weekend series from Illinois State on the same rink in late September.
The #3 seed from the MCH North division, UMary slips to 22-14-0-0-0-0 (W-L-OTL-T-SOW-SOL) overall and 21-14-0-0-0-0 in ACHA MD1 play. The #2 seed from the MCH South division, Illinois State is 16-16-3-0-1-1. The Redbirds next face #1 Minot State University in the MCH semifinals.
Marauders defensemen
Michael Heitkamp, named to the MCH All-League 1
st team earlier in the week for the third time in his career, opened the scoring when his shot from atop the left circle found its way though traffic and into the net 11:27 into the game. It was the only goal of the opening period.
UMary stunned MCH playoff host Illinois State with a goal just seven seconds into the second period.
Jake Murray picked up a loose puck off the draw and jetted towards the Redbirds goal. His shot from the left circle was turned aside but Hunter Magan pounced on the rebound to knock home the puck for a 2-0 UMary lead.
The Redbirds soon recovered, scoring a power play goal at 4:04. Illinois State then tied the game at the 6:40 mark when a shot wide of the goal bounced off the boards to the left side of the net for a quick tap-in.
With time running out on the second period, the Marauders forced the Redbirds into a costly mistake. Illinois State turned the puck over deep in its defensive zone.
Joe Gronholz hit
Alex Senf with a pass in the slot. Two strides later Senf scored with 22.8 seconds remaining before the second intermission to give the Marauders a 3-2 lead.
The Redbirds tied the game at 8:32 of the third period with a power play goal. Illinois State had a final power play chance in the final 22 seconds of regulation but UMary goaltender
Caleb Cross turned away a pair of shots in the final seconds to send the game to overtime.
Illinois State earned its spot in the MCH semifinals with a quick strike on an end-to-end rush. Taking a long breakout pass from the left corner of Redbirds defensive zone to center ice by the right boards, Ethan Chesney snared the puck while in full stride before cutting through the circle and across the goal mouth before delivering a devastating backhanded goal for the win at the 5:44 mark.
Cross finished with 28 saves for UMary. Brendan Donovan had 29 for ISU. Both teams fired 32 shots.
Mangan finished with two points in the game, adding an assist on Heitkamp's goal.
UMary finished 0-for-7 on the power play. ISU converted two of six opportunities.
The Marauders now wait for an official invitation to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division I tournament, slated for March 13-18 in Maryland Heights, MO.
#13 University of Mary 3 at Illinois State University 4 (OT) - Status: Final OT1
Friday, February 21, 2025 - Bloomington Ice Center (IL)
#13 University of Mary 1 2 0 0 - 3
Illinois State University 0 2 1 1 - 4
1st Period-1, MD1 University of Mary, Heitkamp 15 (Mangan), 11:27. Penalties-Hilt M1ils (holding), 1:55; Terch M1ils (tripping), 4:20; Cunningham M1umy (interference), 17:11; served by Garcia M1ils (bench minor-unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:11; Colantonio M1ils (interference), 17:11.
2nd Period-2, MD1 University of Mary, Mangan 12 0:07. 3, MD1 Illinois State University, Chesney 26 (Campise), 4:04 (PP). 4, MD1 Illinois State University, Swiatek 4 (Callahan, Sliwinski), 6:40. 5, MD1 University of Mary, Senf 15 (Gronholz), 19:37. Penalties-Heitkamp M1umy (interference), 3:51; Tricarico M1ils (tripping), 7:55; Heitkamp M1umy (slashing), 12:27; Heitkamp M1umy (roughing), 16:39.
3rd Period-6, MD1 Illinois State University, Tricarico 21 (Campise), 8:32 (PP). Penalties-Sliwinski M1ils (interference), 2:39; served by Garcia M1ils (bench minor-too many men), 5:56; Cunningham M1umy (holding), 8:06; Thompson M1umy (tripping), 11:19; Chesney M1ils (slashing), 11:43; Heitkamp M1umy (slashing), 19:14.
1st OT Period-7, MD1 Illinois State University, Chesney 27 (Hilt), 0:42. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-MD1 University of Mary 14-9-8-1-32. MD1 Illinois State University 7-8-15-2-32.
Power Play Opportunities-MD1 University of Mary 0 / 7; MD1 Illinois State University 2 / 6.
Goalies-MD1 University of Mary, Cross 11-3-1-0 (32 shots-28 saves). MD1 Illinois State University, Donovan 9-6-2-0 (32 shots-29 saves).
#marauders#
