Men's ACHA Division II ice hockey split a series with Concordia University (Wisc.) over the weekend, taking the first game 4-3 in comeback fashion on Saturday, but falling 5-2 in the finale on Sunday at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

In the opener against the Falcons, the Lions gave up three goals in the first 12-minutes of the contest, including one on the power play. A huge comeback began in the final minutes of the first period when Sean McMahon and Mason Kruger set up Stanley Lucas for a score at the 16:06 mark. Despite sending 14 shots on goal in the second, Lindenwood was not able to add any goals to the ledger, but that changed in the final frame.

Gage Vierzba sounded the horn at 2:55 with help from Zac Maupin and Austin Meers and it was 3-2 Concordia. Another 10-plus minutes ran off the clock without another goal, so the Lions were running out of time, but they finally netted the equalizer with 6:35 left in regulation. Sam Watson split the pipes on a play set up by Steve Avalone and Brett Robinson and it was tied 3-3. At a point where the next goal could likely be the game-winner, it was Lindenwood that scored next, and it came with only 104-seconds remaining off the blade of Michael Mullen, assisted by Nolan Kahl and Avalone. Now trailing 4-3, the Falcons pulled their goalie for the final 52-seconds, but the Lions defense held on for the victory.

Lindenwood outshot Concordia 48-28 and Ethan Paulin-Hatch stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced to earn the win in goal. The Lions went scoreless on three power play chances while holding the Falcons to a goal on three man-advantage opportunities.

The second game on Sunday proved to be a bit chippy with multiple penalties called on both sides, but unlike the win on Saturday, Lindenwood special teams didn't hold up as well.

The Lions did take an early 1-0 lead on a Vierzba goal at 2:31 of the first with help from Maupin and Trent Sylvester, but Concordia would get the next three, the final two coming on the power play in a span of just 27-seconds with 5:58 left in the period.

The score remained 3-1 in favor of the Falcons for the remainder of the first and well into the second until Lindenwood benefitted from a Concordia tripping minor. Brett Robinson netted the power play goal off a pass from Watson at 8:50 and the deficit was cut to 3-2.

The Lions were back in the game, but that proved to be as close as they would get. The Falcons scored at even strength with 6:04 remaining in the period, then added their third power play goal early in the third for the final margin.

Lindenwood outshot Concordia 58-28 and Justin Grenon stopped 23 of the 28 shots he faced in a losing effort for the Lions, who scored once on six power play chances while yielding three goals on seven man-advantage opportunities.

With the split, men's ACHA Division II hockey is now 13-2 on the season. Lindenwood hosts Liberty University November 11-12. Earlier in the year, the Lions defeated the Flames 5-1 at the Liberty Showcase in Virginia. The opening faceoff is set for 8:35 p.m. Saturday night and at 2:35 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Centene Community Ice Center.