Loki Antonio powered the women's ACHA Division I ice hockey team to a 5-3 victory versus the Minot State Beavers Friday afternoon at Maysa Arena in Minot, North Dakota.
As the first period got underway, the teams matched each other stride for stride. The Beavers out shot the Lions 11-9, but trailed 1-0 after the first period horn sounded. Ardyn Hawryshko opened the scoring for the Lions late in the first with an even-strength goal at 19:35. The goal -assisted by Antonio and Paris Suzuki- was Hawryshko's eighth of the season.
Unike the first period, the second period featured fierce offensive pressure and several high danger scoring chances from both teams. Antonio got on the score sheet again as she tallied her twelfth goal of the season at the 2:00 minute mark. The Beavers answered with a goal of their own seven and a half minutes later, but Antonio and the Lions answered right back. Antonio scored her thirteenth of the season, unassisted, at 11:29, and Madison Teague added her sixth of the year on the power play at 14:47. Antonio picked up an assist on the Teague goal, making the score 4-1 in favor of the Lions as the second period came to a close.
The Beavers out shot the Lions in every period, and this trend continued into the third. Fierce pressure on the power play by Minot State eventually led to back-to-back Beaver goals at 2:07 and 5:26, and tightened the score to 4-3. Lindenwood goaltender Erica Didocha played fantastically, stopping several Grade A scoring chances from the Beavers. Didocha let up only three goals on 43 shots she faced in the contest. With the score still tight, Lindenwood put the game on ice thanks again to none other than Loki Antonio. At 17:31, Antonio completed the hat trick while on the man advantage, finishing off a great play set up by Madison Teague. This goal was her fourteenth on the season and her whopping fifth point on the night.
The Lions will be back in action again on Saturday as they look to secure a series win against the Beavers. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. at Maysa Arena.
