Billikens Nab Top 10 Road Win

Don’t look now, but Vince Cicciarelli’s putting together one of the best seasons in SLU history. Oh, and we’re only four games into it.

As it sits now, Vince has netted the ball 4 times, putting him on pace for 17 this season, a feat that hasn’t been achieved since Vedad Ibisevic found the back of the goal 18 times in 2003. And if style points counted, Cicciarelli’s campaign could be at a record-breaking pace, after his 2OT winner against Tulsa, and then an important second half goal in this week’s win against #10 Louisville.

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And what a win it was for the Billikens, who were up 1-0 at halftime behind Faik Hajderovic’s goal, and another shutout half from Sascha Otte. In the second half, however, SLU’s defense did what every coach hates, and gave the other team opportunities. That started with a penalty kick in the 50^th minute which knotted the game for the first time. 40 minutes after that goal, and 30 minutes after Cicciarelli gave the Bills the lead, a defensive lapse opened the door for a header from 6 yards out, off a short cross by the Cardinals, which took SLU into its 3^rd overtime period of the short season.

When it comes to overtime, the Bills don’t lose. In fact, they’ve won or tied their last 8 overtime matches, dating back to 2012. This one proved to be no different, as the “foot of God” came down to redirect a David Graydon restart into the net, giving SLU the dramatic win. Road wins against top 10 opponents come at a premium for any program, and SLU’s not immune from that. Coach McGinty, though, discovered the secret potion to make it a regularity.

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In the past 16 seasons, the Bills have won on the road against top 10 opponents only 4 times. Of those 4 times, 3 have come in the past 4 seasons, all under McGinty. Having a star like Robert Kristo certainly helped the situation, and very well might’ve been that “potion”, and Cicciarelli looks to be the new and improved version of the “potion”.

Schedule doesn’t get easier for now, either. Denver arrives at Hermann Stadium on Friday, and then the always dangerous IU on the 30^th. Two wins there would be a major momentum jolt for the Billikens before they begin conference play on October 3^rd.

Next: St. Louis a Finalist to Host 2018 World Hockey Juniors