The Lions won all four games they played at the Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (MCRHL) Showcase January 18-19 at Heatwave Arena in Plain City, Ohio. Lindenwood shutout Henry Ford Community College (JC) in conference action 8-0 and stopped Slippery Rock University (D2) 5-3 in non-conference action before blanking Farmingdale State College (D2) 19-0 on Saturday, then the Lions earned another shutout against Robert Morris University (Pa.) 14-0 Sunday morning.
In the weekend opening game against the Hawks, Lindenwood jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the first period and added another two goals in the second.
Luke DiPasquale earned Star No. 1 honors with a hat trick plus one, and added two assists. The first came just 26-seconds into the contest, assisted by
Parker Winkelmann, who ultimately was named Star No. 2 for his five-assist effort.
Landon Kooker, who received Star No. 3 recognition for two goals and an assist, sounded the horn next just 16-seconds later. DiPasquale netted his second and third at 1:15 and 6:13 respectively with his fourth coming on the power play at 8:26. Zack Burnett split the pipes at 10:06 for the final score of the period.
The Lions increased their margin when Kooker and Winkelmann set up
Jack Wedoski at 1:17 of the second and the final goal of the game came off the blade of Kooker at 7:47.
Lindenwood outshot Henry Ford CC 29-6 and
Josh Henson stopped all six shots he faced to earn the victory in net for the Lions.
In what proved to be the closest game for Lindenwood on the day, the Rock hung close until late in the second. The Lions scored first on an unassisted play by Winkelmann at 1:18, but Slippery Rock returned the favor at 8:22.
Bryce Pierce gave Lindenwood a 2-1 advantage off a feed from Winkelmann at 10:04, then DiPasquale added another unassisted score at 11:56 to make it 3-1.
The Rock pulled back within a single tally early in the second, but the Lions responded with two in the remainder of the period. Winkelmann and
Chase Christopher set up
Brett Worster at 7:26, then
Bennett Blake scored off a pass from Kooker at 10:37 and the Lions carried a 5-2 lead into the final frame. Slippery Rock did get a power play goal late in the third, but 5-3 is as close as the Rock would get.
Winkelmann earned Star No. 1 honors with a goal and two assists, DiPasquale received Star No. 2 recognition with a goal, and Worster was named Star No. 3 with a goal.
A 10 p.m. puck drop started the final contest of the day and the Lindenwood skated all over the Rams with seven in the first, six in the second, and six in the third. Winkelmann earned Star No. 1 honors with a goal and seven assists, Worster received Star No. 2 honors with four goals and two assists, and Blake was named Star No. 3 with a hat trick and three assists. Kooker also helped the Lions cause with six points on two goals and four assists,
Bryce Pierce added a hat trick and two assists, Cameron Green had five assists, DiPasquale had a hat trick and an assist, and Zack Burnett had a goal and assist.
Lindenwood outshot Farmingdale 39-5 and Henson stopped each shot he faced in goal.
After the late finish, the Lions had a quick turnaround with a 9 a.m. start Sunday against the Colonials, but the results were the same. Lindenwood scored three in the first, five in the second, and six in the third. DiPasquale was named Star No. 1 with a hat trick and four assists, Winkelmann earned Star No. 2 recognition with a goal and seven assists, and Blake was named Star No. 3 with two goals and three assists. Other offensive help came from Green with two goals and three assists, Wedoski with a hat trick and assist, Pierce with a goal and assist, Burnett with a pair of assists, Worster with two goals, and Kooker with an assist.
The Lions outshot Robert Morris 32-6 and
Chase Christopher stopped all six shots he faced.
Lindenwood outscored its opponents by a combined 46-3 on the weekend and with the four victories, the Lions improved to 7-0 in collegiate play and to 3-0 in the MCRHL.
Lindenwood returns to action for another MCRHL Showcase February 1-2. The Lions are currently scheduled to play Arizona at 8 a.m. that Saturday morning, Rowan at 1 p.m., and Grand Canyon University at 4 p.m. A single game is scheduled on Sunday at 11 a.m. against Arizona State with everything taking place at Salt Creek Sports Center in Palatine, Illinois, outside of Chicago.
