Men's ACHA Division II hockey scored a tying goal with just over five seconds remaining in regulation, then defeated Sault College 4-3 in overtime at the Miami University (Ohio) Showcase Friday afternoon at the Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio.
The Lions dominated the opening period with a 16-7 shot advantage, but the Cougars were the first to score, taking advantage of a two-on-one rush late in the first for a 1-0 lead, but Lindenwood responded with its own odd man rush, resulting in a
Declan Carter goal early in the second.
The Lions increased their advantage to 2-1 when
RJ Hart sounded the horn from the corner on a play set up by
Bradley Rupp and
Josh Linn, but Hart was sent to the penalty box later in the period on an elbowing call and Sault College took advantage with a power play goal to tie the contest 2-2.
A Lindenwood turnover moments into the third led to a Cougars goal and 3-2 lead just 15-seconds into the period. It looked like it might hold up as the Lions had numerous chances, but couldn't find the equalizer as the clock ticked towards the end of the game. As the final offensive push unfolded with Lindenwood deep in the Cougars zone, Linn centered the puck trying to find a friendly blade for a tip-in, but instead, it ricocheted off the skate of a Sault defenseman and right into the net with only 5.1 seconds left.
Jack Radley and
Steve Avalone earned the assists on the play that sent the game into overtime.
Despite giving up the lead, the Cougars kept pressuring the Lindenwood defense, creating two excellent scoring chances in the extra time, but Lions net-minder
Michael Errico turned them both away. On the ensuing counterattack, Linn had the puck on a two-on-one odd-man rush with Radley. Linn found some space and rifled a shot on goal that was blockered away, but right to the stick of Radley who buried the puck into the back of the net for the winner.
Lindenwood outshot Sault College 65-21 and Errico stopped 18 of the 21 shots he faced to earn the victory in goal.
With the win, the Lions improved to 20-4-0 for the season. They'll continue action in the Miami Showcase Saturday evening against Florida Gulf Coast. The puck drops at 4:45 p.m. at the Goggin Ice Arena in Oxford, Ohio.
