It was another busy night for the scoreboard operator as men's ACHA DII ice hockey hit double digits in a 10-3 win over Schoolcraft Friday night at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The victory made it nine straight to begin the 2025-26 campaign and number 17 in a row dating back to last season.

It only took 15-seconds for Nick Jones to give the Lions an early lead on a play set up by Brock Hart and Austin Meers, but the Ocelots had a quick response, tying the game just 50-seconds later. Jones was not to be outdone as he split the pipes once again at 5:35 with help from Meers and Finnigan Greeley. With just a one goal lead at 2-1, Lindenwood took control of the opening frame from there.

Just 17-seconds after the Jones tally, Gage Vierzba stole the puck and scored unassisted to make it 3-1. Nick Jones then did the same thing to seal his hat trick in just 10:18 of game time and it was 4-1. Easton Portner and Vierzba aided Chase McClellan on the next Lions score at 13:17 to make it 5-1 and then Lindenwood benefitted from a major slashing penalty on Schoolcraft.

McClellan and Greeley earned helpers on the first power play goal at 15:26 and then Easton Portner sounded the horn, assisted by Vierzba and Greeley as the five-minute power play continued to make it 7-1 at 17:28.

The Lions essentially coasted from that point. They did give up Ocelot goals at 2:14 of the second at even-strength and again on a Schoolcraft power play at 7:58 of the third after a Lindenwood cross-checking penalty, but the Lions countered with three of their own, all in the middle frame. Brett Robinson split the pipes unassisted at 6:13 of the second , Zach Maupin lit the lamp at 9:48 with help from Ethan Christofferson and Gavin Delfosse, and Jack Louko finished off a play set up by Meers and Robinson at 18:52.

Lindenwood outshot the Ocelots 38 to 17 and Cole Wheaton stopped 14 of the 17 pucks he faced to earn win in goal. The Lions scored twice on six power plays while yielding a single tally on six man-advantage chances.

Lindenwood improved to 9-0. They face the University of Denver November 8 at home. The opening faceoff is set for 9 p.m. at the Centene Community Ice Center.