After Grand Canyon University won the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Division I Championship over Lindenwood in a three-overtime thriller in 2024, it was only fitting that the two teams faced each other again in the 2025 title game. This time, the Lions emerged victorious with a 2-0 shutout over the Lopes to claim the 13^th national championship in program history.

In what likely what be added to the list of classic D1 roller hockey finals, it took over two-and-a-half periods before anyone scored. In a close checking game, both teams had chances but couldn't find the back of the net. Shots were even at 6-6 through the first period and Grand Canyon had an 11-6 advantage over Lindenwood in the second, aided by a slashing penalty on Luke DiPasquale at the 2:17 mark. The Lions killed it off with help from goalie Chase Christopher who made several great saves during the Lopes power play.

As the contest carried into the final period scoreless, tension and the possibilities of another overtime ending increased. A first goal for the team that could get it would be undeniably big. It looked like Lindenwood might be that squad early in the third after GCU was called for tripping at 2:49, but Lopes netminder Maxim Currie turned away every puck he faced during the Lions power play.

With the pace of play and overall effort at a high-level, both teams were given an extended break at the 4:34 mark when there was an official timeout to dry off the Lindenwood goal crease, which had become slippery. Perhaps that extra moment allowed a bit of a reset because the Lions returned to the floor with an extra buzz. Just over a minute later, Parker Winkelmann sent Clayton Liefeld into the offensive zone with a pass. Liefeld briefly paused while dangling the puck, then ripped a shot to the top right corner for the first goal of the game at 8:49. Winkelmann earned the only assist on the play that gave Lindenwood a 1-0 lead.

With the one goal advantage, less than three minutes remaining, and a sense that his team might be celebrating a bit too soon, Lions Head Coach Ron Beilsten smartly called a timeout with 2:08 remaining to refocus his players. It proved to be a brilliant move. Just seconds later, Liefeld passed Jack Wedoski into the zone. He took the puck to the right side, did a stop and go, and drove towards the net between two defenders. Currie tried a poke-check and missed giving Wedoski a clear shot to the back of the cage for the second Lindenwood goal at 10:06.

Trailing 2-0, the Lopes immediately pulled their goalie to go five-on-four, but time ran out with the Lions shutout intact.

Grand Canyon outshot Lindenwood 25-23, but Chase Christopher stopped all 25 shots he faced for the shutout victory, becoming just the second netminder in the 26 years of the NCRHA Division I Championship to post a shutout in the title game. He also earned First Star honors for his efforts. Clayton Liefeld was named Second Star with the game-winning goal and assist, and Jack Wedoski received Third Star recognition with a goal.

Coach Beilsten gave some credit to the Lopes for their performance after the game but appreciated his own team for their effort and grit.

"Great team, over there. Those guys, I know a lot of them. Their coach is unbelievable. I just give them all the credit," Beilsten said. "Our guys really sucked it up and dug deep. Sounds cliché, but that's exactly what happened. It's not easy to win, but we had a good timeout at the right time and our goaltending was solid. It's all about the players and we have great kids."

The Lions complete their 2024-25 season with a perfect 16-0 record and have now won three of the last four NCRHA Division I titles.