The last time the men's ACHA DII ice hockey squad lost a game, it was to Maryville 4-2 during the Lindenwood Winter Classic by JOG on Groundhog's Day 2025. Almost a year later to the day and during the same event, the Saints did it again, snapping a Lions streak of 26 wins to start the 2025-26 season and 33 wins overall dating back to the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

As often happens in cases like this, a player displays an amazing and unexpected effort and that was made by Maryville goaltender Addison Zeich, who made saves on all 60 shots he faced from Lindenwood in regulation and the five-minute overtime period. On the other side of the ice, Lions netminder Cole Wheaton did his part with 15 saves on 15 shots. Lindenwood only had two power play opportunities in the contest, the second being cut short when the Lions were called for holding.

The lack of scoring set up a shootout and the Saints immediately put pressure on Lindenwood by scoring on their first shot. Gavin Defosse made the first attempt for the Lions but couldn't find the back of the net. Wheaton made the save on the second shot from Maryville, but Jack Louko was unable to tie the shootout with his effort, meaning that the Saints could win it with a goal on their third shot. Wheaton was once again up to task. Austin Meers came over the boards needing a goal to extend the shootout and that's what he did to the delight of the hometown crowd.

Seeing the puck finally get past Zeich gave Lindenwood some momentum, but Maryville changed that in a hurry with a goal on the fourth shot as the shootout extended to sudden death. Once again, the Lions had to have a goal on their fourth shot to extend things, but Nick Jones was denied, and just like that, the game and the streak was over.

With the loss, Lindenwood drops 26-0-1. The Lions conclude their portion of the Lindenwood Winter Classic by hosting Trine University on Sunday. The puck drops at 2:40 p.m. at the Centene Community Ice Center. The Lions will be attempting to start another winning streak. A year ago after their previous last loss, they went on to win the ACHA Division II National Championship and win 33 straight games, so perhaps this is right where Lindenwood wants to be.