Head coach Rick Zombo led Lindenwood to its fourth ACHA national championship last season, but will be facing a new challenge this year, as the Lions move up to NCAA Division I. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
Torrance Terrell
Staff Writer
When Lindenwood University head men’s hockey coach Rick Zombo got an early morning call from university president Dr. John R. Porter last spring, he thought the school’s head honcho was just calling to wish him well as the Lions were nearing the finals of the ACHA national championship tournament.
Either that, or maybe Zombo wondered, if he’d done something to get himself in trouble.
“We don’t talk a whole lot, (so I wasn’t sure),” Zombo said. “Instead, he called to tell me that (our school’s) move to Division I was going to include our program.”
The Lions celebrated the news by finishing the year with a 22-3 record and winning their fourth ACHA national title. But they didn’t get long to celebrate because Zombo knew, he and his staff would have to dive in quickly to create a new full schedule for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
“At that point, my focus was on the national tournament, so I left the scheduling to my staff,” Zombo said. “And in something like nine days, they put together an incredible schedule with 30 games against some of the best teams in the country. What we managed to accomplish, it was pretty remarkable.”
Lindenwood’s upcoming NCAA schedule, which will include just four home games, will kick off this weekend, October 1-2, with a pair of games against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers made it to the NCAA Frozen Four last year and comes into this season ranked No. 2 in the country.
Those aren’t the only tough games Lindenwood is scheduled to play this season. Next weekend, the Lions will be on the road again with a pair of games against another NCAA semifinalist from last season — Michigan — with those games slated for October 7-8.
The Lions will also play at defending NCAA champion Denver in December, and at long time NCAA hockey powerhouse North Dakota in January.
Lindenwood will play just two series at home — hosting Air Force on October 14-15, and Stonehill College in February.
“It’s a matter of building this year and getting the ball rolling,” Zombo said. “If all goes well, we’ll try to schedule at least 15 home games next year. We’re building a program for the long haul, and we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“As a coach, you’re judged by wins and losses, but it’s also about development and the maturation of the players you’re working with.”
Key returning players for the Lions include forwards Andy Willis, Kyle Jeffers, and Ryan Finnegan, defenseman Caleb Price and goaltender Trent Burnham.
Key newcomers include a pair of 6-foot-6 defensemen in Kieran Ruscheinski, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens, and native St. Louisan Jack Anderson, as well as talented forwards Max Neill and Drew Kuzma.
“We have good size, and we hope to develop into a team that’s difficult to play against,” Zombo said. “We want to be a team that attacks and that forces our opponents’ better players to defend. We know that we have some work to do, but I really like this group’s potential.”
The season opening matchups this Saturday and Sunday against Minnesota will both face off at 7 p.m., and will be streamed live on Big 10 Network-Plus.
| 2022-23 Lindenwood Lions Men’s Hockey Schedule |
| Sat., October 1 — at #2 Minnesota — 7 pm |
| Sun., October 2 — at #2 Minnesota — 7 pm |
| Fri., October 7 — at #6 Michigan — 6 pm |
| Sat., October 8 — at #6 Michigan — 6 pm |
| Fri., October 14 — vs. Air Force — 7:10 pm |
| Sat., October 15 — vs. Air Force — 2:10 pm |
| Sat., October 22 — at American International — 6:05 pm |
| Sun., October 23 — at American International — 6:05 pm |
| Fri., October 28 — at Bentley — 6:05 pm |
| Sat., October 29 — at Bentley — 3:05 pm |
| Fri., November 4 — at Army — 6 pm |
| Sat., November 5 — at Army — 3 pm |
| Fri., November 18 — at Wisconsin — TBA |
| Sat., November 19 — at Wisconsin — TBA |
| Fri., December 16 — at #1 Denver — 8 pm |
| Sat., December 17 — at #1 Denver — 7 pm |
| Fri., December 30 — at Vermont — 6 pm |
| Sat., December 31 — at Vermont — 3 pm |
| Fri., January 6 — at #4 North Dakota — 7:07 pm |
| Sat., January 7 — at #4 North Dakota — 6:07 pm |
| Fri., January 20 — at Long Island — 7 pm |
| Sat., January 21 — at Long Island — 2 pm |
| Fri., February 10 — vs. Stonehill — 7:10 pm |
| Sat., February 11 — vs. Stonehill — 2:10 pm |
| Fri., February 17 — at Arizona State — TBA |
| Sat., February 18 — at Arizona State — TBA |
| Fri., February 24 — at USA Development Team — TBA |
| Sat., February 25 — at USA Development Team — TBA |
| Fri., March 3 — at Alaska-Fairbanks — 10:07 pm |
| Sat., March 4 — at Alaska-Fairbanks — 7:07 pm |
| Fri., March 10 — at Alaska-Anchorage — 10:07 pm |
| Sat., March 11 — at Alaska-Anchorage — 9:07 pm |
| All Lindenwood home games will be played at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights. |