It took multiple rallies and a massive effort from Nick Jones, but men's ACHA Division II ice hockey extended its winning streak to 12 with a 6-5 victory over Florida Gulf Coast Friday night at Hertz Arena in Fort Myers, Florida. Jones scored a hat trick by the end of the second period and then added the game-winner in the third.

The Eagles built a two-goal lead in the first period, lighting the lamp at 1:19 and then unassisted at 12:21, but some activity after the whistle resulted in a roughing call on FGCU, giving the Lions a power play. The Eagles compounded the situation with a cross-checking penalty just 36-seconds later and Lindenwood had a five-on-three opportunity. Nick Jones cashed it in at 13:18 off a feed from Ryan Granville and the Lions had cut the deficit in half 2-1.

That's where it remained until midway through the second when Lindenwood essentially returned the favor. Michael Mullen was called for a major penalty at 7:37. As the Lions were killing off that time, Jones was called for interference at 9:18. Florida Gulf Coast netted a power play goal just 16-seconds later, then added another at 9:50 to quickly expand the advantage to 4-1.

Lindenwood rallied from there. Zac Maupin sounded the horn at 14:45 on a play set up by Gavin Delfosse and Granville to make it 4-2. Just over a minute later, Jones split the pipes with help from Brett Robinson and Stanley Lucas to pull the Lions within one at 15:57. Lindenwood continued to pressure the defense, and the result was a slashing penalty on FGCU. The Eagles were within 20-seconds of killing it off when they were called for delay of game. The Lions did not score during the brief five-on-three chance but took advantage of the second two-minutes. Jones completed his hat trick at 19:20, assisted by Chase McClellan, his 17^th of the season, and Jack Louko and just like that, the contest was knotted at 4-4.

The late barrage of scoring from Lindenwood in the second period caused a goalie change from FGCU to start the third and it quickly looked like the move would pay off when Logan Millhausen was called for cross-checking, resulting in a power play goal and a 5-4 Eagles lead at 3:22. But the Lions rallied again when Austin Meers set up Lucas at 6:10 and it was tied 5-5. Lindenwood had a chance to take the lead when Florida Gulf Coast was called for interference at 7:18, but the Eagles and their new net-minder killed it off. As the time ticked down in the final period, the Lions found themselves short-handed after a tripping penalty at 12:40, but they were able to kill it off as well.

With both teams pressing to find a goal, the action went end-to-end with Lindenwood finally breaking through at even strength. Jones found the back of the net for his fourth of the game and 12^th of the season at 18:10. Robinson earned his 16^th assist of the year and Lucas his eighth on the play that gave the Lions a 6-5 lead, but the game wasn't over. Lucas was called for boarding at 18:47 and the Eagles had one last push to find an equalizer on the power play. Lindenwood was up to the task however, and successfully defended the final 73-seconds short-handed to clinch the game.

The Lions outshot FGCU 54-48 and Cole Wheaton stopped 43 of the 48 pucks he faced to earn the victory in goal. Lindenwood scored twice on seven power play chances while yielding three goals to the Eagles on eight man-advantage opportunities.

With the win, the Lions improved to 14-1 on the season. They will attempt to sweep the Eagles in the final game of the series Saturday afternoon. The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. EST at Hertz Arena.