Men's ACHA DII ice hockey extended its winning streak to five with a 6-2 victory over Weber State University in the Lindenwood Showcase Friday night at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
The Lions controlled the opening period with a 14-3 advantage in shots, but it took until the 15:33 mark before they could notch a tally on the scoreboard. After an offensive zone faceoff win,
Brett Robinson ripped a one-timer from the slot on a play from
Jack Louko and
Gavin Delfosse and Lindenwood carried a 1-0 lead into the second.
The Lions increased their advantage midway through the period.
Ryan Granville netted his team leading eighth goal of the season when he bagged home a rebound from a great move and shot from
Austin Meers.
Chase McClellan earned the second assist at the 10-minute mark. After killing off a holding penalty, Lindenwood earned a power play on a Wildcats roughing minor at 16:05. Just before the man-advantage time expired, Meers and
Michael Mullen connected with
Stanley Lucas to make it 3-0 with 2:04 remaining. With Weber State on its heels, Lucas sounded the horn again just 33-seconds later when he put home a rebound with help from Mullen.
Lindenwood was called for goalie interference just before the end of the second and that led to a Wildcats power play goal at the 1:07 mark of the third to cut their deficit to 4-1, but the Lions responded with the first collegiate goal from
Carter Walby on an even-strength effort at 6:35, assisted by
Zachary Schwartz and
Anthony Tinsley.
A broken play led to a second Weber State goal on a partial breakaway at 10:21 to make it 5-2, but that would be as close as the Wildcats would get. Lindenwood took advantage of a worn-down defense when Meers blew past a defenseman for a breakaway goal at 16:06.
Trent Sylvester earned the assist on the play that made it 6-2.
The Lions outshot Weber State 42-12 and
Justin Grenon stopped 10 of the 12 pucks he faced to earn the win in goal. Lindenwood scored twice on four power play chances while holding the Wildcats to one goal on two man-advantage chances.
With the victory, the Lions improved to 7-1 on the season. Play continues in the Lindenwood Showcase with two more games over the weekend. Lindenwood will face the University of Iowa at 8 p.m. Saturday night and will take on Trine University at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Centene Community Ice Center. It was the Thunder that handed the Lions their last loss two weeks ago.
