IU faces hungry Illini squad

The Hoosiers take their 2-0 start to Champaign, Ill. this weekend to take on the University of Illinois. Coach Rich Holdeman said he thinks this will be one of the toughest series of the season.\n"It's just a great test for us, playing under adverse conditions against a good team," Holdeman said. "It's going to be a great opportunity to see how our guys play under pressure."\nIllinois coach Chad Cassel said he expects two evenly matched teams to take the ice despite IU's Division II status.\n"IU is one of the top Division II teams," Cassel said. "They've got a great program, and they've provided some great games for us."\nIU swept Illinois last year in a two game series at Frank Southern Arena, but have struggled recently in Illinois. The Hoosiers have not won in Champaign since 1995. Cassel said revenge was on his team's mind, but it is not the only motivating factor.\n"We definitely want to avenge last year's losses, but we're off to a good start. And we just want to keep it rolling," Cassel said. "It doesn't matter who we're playing right now. We just want to play well."\nThe No. 2 Illini will be tough enough, but the University of Illinois Ice Arena will be one of the biggest obstacles the Hoosiers will have to overcome. The arena features an unusually wide ice surface, wider than any NHL surface and even wider than Olympic regulations. The Hoosier's home ice, Frank Southern Arena, is a much smaller rink, something players said will require an adjustment.\n"It's probably Illinois' single biggest advantage," junior forward David Standa said. "They know how to use that surface, and it usually takes opposing teams a period or two to adjust."\nHoldeman said playing on the large surface requires patience. He said players will have to keep their heads up and use the extra space to their advantage. \nIU will play sophomore forward David Ravensberg and junior defenseman Justin Peck for the first time this year. Ravensberg, the returning points leader from last season, separated a shoulder two weeks ago. Peck injured his wrist before the season. Holdeman said Ravensberg looked good in practice this week, but Peck may play less.\n"(Peck) may see more limited action, but he's obviously a veteran player who can give us some good minutes," Holdeman said.\nIllinois starts the highest points-producing line in the ACHA. Senior forward Brian Tilden, junior center Pat Olson and sophomore winger Brett Duncan have each averaged over 1.6 points per game for the Illini.\nIU counters with senior defenseman Joe Rogers (1 goal, 3 assists) and forwards Michael Kearns (1 goal, 2 assists) and Clint Heiber (3 assists). IU will also carry the momentum of a successful series last weekend in which IU outscored Dayton 14-1 on the weekend, but Standa said this series will be much different.\n"Not only is it a weird ice surface, it will be a sold out rink with lots of fans," Standa said. "It's their Homecoming, and they'll be tough."\nHoldeman said that if the Hoosiers stick to their plan, they have a good shot at leaving Illinois with a victory or two.\n"They'll be gunning for us, no doubt about it," Holdeman said. "We know we can play at their level. I think if our guys keep their composure and play our game, we'll give them a run for their money"