Lindenwood sophomore Kyle Jeffers had a goal and an assist in the Lions’ 6-4 loss to No. 2 Minnesota, Sunday night. (Photo courtesy: Lindenwood Athletics)
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #2 Minnesota | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| #2 Minnesota | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
No one knew exactly what to expect from the Lindenwood University men’s hockey team as it made its NCAA Division I debut last weekend. The Lions had been playing at the ACHA level for the last two decades, and though they won four national championships, no one was sure what that would mean once the team started playing at the highest level of college hockey.
Turns out, Lindenwood is team to be reckoned with.
At least that’s what it showed on Saturday and Sunday night, when it played its first two regular season games against NCAA Frozen Four regular and current No. 2 team in the nation, Minnesota. The Lions lost both games, but more then held their own, and even had the Golden Gophers on the brink of defeat, in the two-game series that ended with scores of 4-0 and 6-4.
Minnesota controlled the action throughout Game 1, but didn’t actually gain the lead until it scored on a power play midway through the first period. Lindenwood was hindered by five penalties in the contest, with the Golden Gophers scoring on two of them.
Lindenwood had three power plays of their own on Saturday, but was not able to score on any of them.
Game 2 was a much more even contest, as the game’s momentum swung between both clubs.
Minnesota scored first, once again, midway through the first. But this time, Lindenwood answered, with a power play goal by Kyle Jeffers at the 15:07 mark.
The tie was short-lived though, as Minnesota regained the lead a little over a minute later, which gave them a 2-1 advantage heading into the second period.
The Lions took early control in the second period and scored a pair of goals in the early going to gain their first lead at 3-2. Forward Hunter Johannes scored the first goal, on a breakaway, off a feed from teammate Andy Willis.
Then just over a minute later, Adam Conquest, a senior transfer from Bowling Green, scored his first goal as a Lion to put Lindenwood up 3-2. Minnesota responded by scoring two straight goals of their own to take a 4-3 lead into the third period.
The final stanza began with the play of the night for the Lions — a spectacular breakaway goal by Eden Prairie, Minn., native Ryan Finnegan.
Lindenwood was on a power play, and after clearing the puck from its zone, the Minnesota defense went for a line change. But Lindenwood’s Caleb Price stole the puck and quickly passed it to Jeffers, who then flipped it to Finnegan, who broke in all alone against Minnesota goalkeeper Owen Bartoszkiewicz.
Finnegan made a dynamic move from his forehand to his backhand and slid the puck past Bartoszkiewicz for a goal that tied the score at 4 and brought the small, but loud crowd of Lindenwood fans — many of whom were Finnegan’s family and friends — to their feet.
With the score tied, the Lions had a couple of scoring chances, but were unable to capitalize. Minnesota had a couple of chances too, and made the most of them, as it scored twice — on a pair of power plays — to take the lead for good and eventually take Game 2, 6-4.
Jeffers finished with a goal and an assist, and Price had two assists to lead the Lions. Goalkeepers Trent Burnham and Matt Ladd had 30 saves and 39 saves in the two games, respectively.
Lindenwood will be back in action this coming weekend, with a two-game series against No. 7-ranked Michigan on Friday and Saturday night. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and will be streamed live on Big 10-Plus.
The Lions’ first home games will be next weekend, when they’ll host a two-game series against Air Force at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
| 2022-23 Lindenwood Lions Men’s Hockey Remaining Schedule |
| Fri., October 7 — at #7 Michigan — 6 pm |
| Sat., October 8 — at #7 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. |