The goals came early and often as men's ice hockey earned a 12-1 win over Illinois in Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL) action Friday night at the Illinois Ice Arena in Champaign – Urbana, Illinois.

The Lions built a 5-0 lead in the first period and extended it to 8-0 after the second before adding another four in the final frame.  Freshmen David Gagnon and Max Helgeson scored their first collegiate goals and Gagnon added another two in the contest for a hat trick.  Lindenwood scored twice on three power play chances, and Trent Burnham stopped 17 of 18 shots for the win in goal.

With the victory, the Lions improved to 3-1-0 overall and to 1-0-0 in CSCHL play.  Lindenwood hosts the Illini Saturday afternoon as the home-and-home series concludes.  The puck drops at 4:50 p.m. at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.