The Lindenwood men’s hockey team will open up its 2023 season this weekend at Air Force. (Photo courtesy: Lindenwood Athletics)

Jason Barnes
Staff Writer

The Lindenwood University men’s hockey team is all set to begin its 2023-24 campaign this weekend, when it travels to Colorado to take on the United States Air Force Academy in what will be the season opener for both teams.

Last year, Lindenwood’s first as an NCAA Division I team, the Lions finished with a 7-22-1 record — the most for a first-year program since Arizona State won three games against Division I opponents during the 2015-16 season.

Lindenwood’s first D1 victory came in its home opener, last October 14, against Air Force. It was also one of the most exciting games of the season.

The Lions trailed by four goals midway through the second period, but then scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Falcons 7-6. With that victory, Lindenwood became the first men’s hockey program this century to earn their first division I victory after trailing by two or more goals.

For this weekend’s series, the Lions and Falcons enter tied, at one victory each, after AF was able to clinch a 5-3 win in game two. Lindenwood is returning much of the talent that lifted them over the Air Force in game one, including David Gagnon, Kyle Jeffers, Kieran Ruscheinski, Mitch Allard, Adam Conquest, Caleb Price, Joe Prouty, Coltan Wilkie, Drew Kuzma, Cade DeStefanie, Caige Sterzer, and Aiden Yakimchuk.

Each player listed either scored a goal or assisted during the two-game series held October 14-15, 2022. With the returners as well as the newcomers, the Lions are looking for a competitive series to start the 2023 campaign.

Lindenwood will begin the year with eight straight road games, before hosting their 2023 home opener on November 10-11, at the Centene Community Ice Center, against Augustana University.

Lindenwood sports information contributed to this story.

Lindenwood Lions Men’s Hockey 2023-2024 Schedule