The Redbirds built a lead on Friday night and held on to defeat Mizzou on Friday night.  The Tigers got on the scoreboard a minute in of the first period but Veteran Joey Burbano started off a four goal barrage just three minutes later on a goal assisted rookie line mate's Brock Ash & Shane Ronan.  Ronan followed up on the second goal with assists from Ash and Cameron Huey.  Burbano tallied the third goal as the red hot Shane Ronan added his third point of the night with an assist along with another rookie AJ Saputa.  Former Peoria Mustang and Redbird newcomers Brennen Begner finished off the first period onslaught on Huey's second assist of the evening.

Despite the strong start there was an unfortunate occurrence.  During a puck battle in front of the Redbird net, starting goalie Tyler Arneson caught a skate blade that somehow gashed his arm.  The severity of the injury was not understood until after the completion of the period.  Mizzou did capitalize with a score off of a face-off with only eight seconds remaining in the period.  Arneson did need to be taken out of the game from the injury.  Max Johnson stepped in.

The last minute goal fired up the Tigers and they came out strong in the second and tied the game at four half way through the period.  However, the birds turned the tables as yet another rookie Dan Oliszewicz forced home a rebound with eight seconds left on assists from Anthony Salerno and Steven Meister.

A tight defense and stellar goaltending by Johnson secured the game in the third and the Birds took the opener 5-4.

Max Johnson got the start on Saturday and would play a very important role in the game.  The other half of the Peoria Mustang rookies Tyler Kuhn started off the scoring with assists from Begner and Chris Jablonsky.  The first period ended 1-0.  The same line double the score in the second on Chris Jablonsky's first collegiate goal as Kuhn & Begner assisted.  The Tiger's came back and scored twice to tie the game up to end the second period with a 2-2 tie.

The Tiger's scored two more to gain a two goal lead with only five minutes left in the game.  The Redbirds showed that this year's team is ready to play to the end.  Mizzou was called for tripping with four minutes left.  At the three minute mark Coach Hernbrott pulled goaltender Max Johnson to give the squad a 6-4 advantage.  It paid off with a rebound goal by Anthony Salerno on an assist by Tyler Shures.  With only thirty-seven seconds left in the game Mizzou was called for too many men.  Once again the Redbirds came out with six attackers.  At the fifteen second mark Tyler Shures fired a shot from the point and Chris Jablonsky buried his second goal of the night to send the game into overtime.

After no scoring in the OT the teams lined up for a five man shootout.  Max Johnson came up big.  He stopped the first shooter who tried to go forehand backhand.  Johnson flashed the right pad to shut him down.  After a unsuccessful attempt by Tyler Shures Mizzou tallied on a shot that got past Johnson.  Tyler Kuhn then tied it up with a nifty move and going top shelf past the Mizzou goaltender.  Mizzou added another goal to make it 2-1.  After an Brennen Begner failed to capitalize Max Johnson stood strong and was not scored on again.

Joey Burbano put a backhander in to tie it up.  The last Redbird shooter Brock Ash put all the boys on the bus happy by sliding the puck five hole past the Tiger's goalie.

The DII Redbirds home opening weekend against MACHA Gold rivals Northern Illinois will be this Friday, September 22nd at the Pepsi Ice Center in Bloomington at 9:10 pm & 5:50 pm Saturday.  Tickets will be available at the door for only $5.00.