The Lindenwood men's ACHA division II ice hockey team kicked the weekend off on the right foot Friday night by defeating the Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks by the score of 5-3 at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Austin Meers potted a goal and tallied three assists in the game, leading the Lions past Miami for their 10th consecutive victory.

The Lions tested the Redhawk netminder early and often Friday night. The Lions put 20 shots on net in the first period, but were only able to light the lamp one time. Gage Vierzba scored the first goal of the game at 15:05 on a dish from Ryan Granville. Vierzba's 11th goal of the season gave the Lions a 1-0 lead late in the third period. However, the lead would not hold for long. While on the power play, a forced turnover and subsequent breakaway by Redhawks forward Drew Douglass drew a tripping penalty from Lions defensemen Brett Robinson. The Redhawks were awarded a penalty shot, which Douglass netted, tying the game up 1-1 after the first period.

The second period began like the first with neither team tallying a goal until after the 5:00 mark. At 5:44, Nolan Kahl connected with Nick Jones and Austin Meers for his first goal of the season. For Jones, it was his 15th assist of the year and for Meers his 23rd. The 2-1 Lions lead held until 14:40 when Miami snuck a shot past Lindenwood goaltender Cole Wheaton, tying the game at two goals apiece. The Redhawks outshot the Lions 14-13 in the second period.

Miami scored right off the hop to start the third period, taking their first lead of the game just 0:13 seconds into the final period of play. The 3-2 Redhawk lead held for almost 8:00 minutes until a costly Miami delay of game penalty sent the Lions to the power play. At 8:09, Ryan Granville tied the game 3-3 with his 11th goal of the year. Both Jones and Meers picked up their second assists of the game on the Granville goal. Lindenwood returned to the man-advantage at 10:51 which led to Robinson and Meers finding Stanley Lucas who netted the game winner. Lucas' 15th goal of the season- and third game winning goal- gave the Lions the lead yet again, 4-3. Austin Meers added an insurance goal late at 17:12, his 12th goal he has scored this year. Jones picked up his third assist of the game and Cole Wheaton was awarded a helper as well.

Wheaton played well, stopping 27 of 30 Redhawk shots including multiple high-danger chances. The Lions impressive offense dazzled yet again as they outshot the Redhawks 48-30. The victory is the Lions' 10th in a row and their second streak of 10 or more wins this season. The Lions record now sits at 24-2, which puts them firmly atop the ACHA men's division II independent division with 49 points. Lindenwood will retake the ice tomorrow afternoon with a rematch against the Miami University (Ohio) Redhawks at 2:30 p.m at Centene Community Ice Center.