Roller hockey defeated Arizona State 5-2 in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Division I National Championship semifinals Saturday afternoon at the Skatium in Fort Meyers, Florida. With the victory, the Lions advanced to the title game later this evening against Grand Canyon University.
Lindenwood continued its trend of quick starts at the event by opening up a two-goal advantage in the first period.
Luke DiPasquale and
Jackson Wozniak set up
Jack Wedoski at 6:46 and then DiPasquale sounded the horn at 9:51 with help from
Bennett Blake and
Landon Kooker.
The Sun Devils climbed back within a single tally at the 3:55 mark of the second, but an Arizona State roughing call gave the Lions a power play chance and they took advantage. DiPasquale scored his second of the contest on a play set up by
Parker Winkelmann and Wozniak at 7:22 to make it 3-1 Lindenwood. DiPasquale quickly completed his hat trick moments later at even strength when he buried the puck off a nice pass from Cameron Green at 8:23 to make it 4-1.
The Lions added some insurance at the midway point of the third when Wozniak fed Wedoski at 5:51, but some undisciplined play from Lindenwood led to a Sun Devils power play with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. ASU took advantage to make it 5-2 Lions, but that proved to be the final score.
Lindenwood outshot the Sun Devils 40-27 and
Josh Henson stopped 25 of 27 shots faced to earn the victory in goal. With his hat trick and an assist,
Luke DiPasquale earned Star No. 1 honors.
Jack Wedoski was named Star No. 2 with two goals and
Jackson Wozniak received Star No. 3 recognition with three assists.
The Lions will face Grand Canyon University with a national title on the line. The Antelopes are a familiar opponent as Lindenwood has already played them twice this season, winning both games, 5-2 earlier in pool play and 4-0 in early February. Grand Canyon is also the team that defeated the Lions last season in the NCRHA title game in triple overtime, so it should be an intense match-up. The NCRHA Division I National Championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT tonight at the Skatium in Fort Meyers, Florida.
