ACHA D-1 College Hockey Nationals, Columbus – University of Ill. 3 Jamestown 1

Eric Cruickshank and James McGing scored third period goals to help the fifth-ranked University of Illinois Illni to a 3-1 victory over the University of Jamestown Saturday at the 2018 ACHA D1 National Championship.

The Illini took a lead just 14 seconds into the game on a goal from Grant Stueve. Stueve took a rebound and found an opening past Jimmie goaltender Tyson Brouwer (SO/Lethbridge, Alberta) for the early advantage.

Jeremy McNeil (SO/Calgary, Alberta) tied the game for UJ at the 16:52 mark of the second on assists from Cameron Todd (SO/Burraneer, Australia) and Trevor Okino (SO/Richmond, British Columbia).

The score stayed 1-1 until Cruickshank’s shorthanded tally at 2:22 of the third period. The goal came 16 seconds after the Jimmies went on the power play following a Illinois tripping penalty. McGing’s clincher also came shorthanded with 3:58 remaining.

Brouwer had 34 saves while Illini goaltender David Heflin had 30 saves.

Jamestown finishes the season with a record of 23-14-0-1.