For the first time since 2018, the Lions found themselves back in the bright lights of the ACHA Central Regional Tournament, and if there were any nerves, they didn't show as Lindenwood shutout Nebraska 8-0 at the Kube Sports Complex in Hammond, Indiana.
Entering round one with a record of 29-0-1, the Lions battled the Cornhuskers with something to prove within a new postseason format. What followed was a masterclass, a clinical, puck-dominant performance that reminded the region exactly why Lindenwood has been one of the most feared teams all season.
From the opening draw, it was all Lions. Freshman
Finnigan Greeley wasted little time announcing himself on the regional stage, snapping a low blocker shot past Nebraska goaltender Jacob Morgan to open the scoring at the 10:40 mark of the first. The play was built with purpose. Crisp puck movement from
Zac Maupin and
Ethan Christofferson set the table, but the finish was the exclamation point.
Minutes later, the Lindenwood forecheck turned predatory.
Gavin Delfosse disrupted a Huskers breakout pass and redirected it straight into the back of the net, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to make it 2-0 with 5:34 remaining in the first. The period closed with the Lions holding a staggering 29-4 shot advantage, territorial dominance that told the true story.
The second period only widened the gap.
Brett Robinson converted at 5:09 off a Nebraska turnover with a slick move in tight, showcasing hands and patience that have become trademarks of his game. Then
Nick Jones broke free on a breakaway, finishing confidently off a Robinson feed to push the lead to 4-0 with 9:17 left in the frame.
From there, the floodgates opened in a 69-second blitz that broke the Huskers resistance.
Brock Hart buried a slot shot at 11:29 off a tic-tac-toe passing sequence from
Gage Vierzba and
Easton Portner, the kind of play drawn on whiteboards but rarely executed so cleanly. Moments later, Portner went short side himself after yet another turnover, stretching the lead to 6-0 at 11:54. By the end of two periods, the shots read 54-8 in favor of Lindenwood. The Lions weren't just winning, they were suffocating.
The third period shifted into management mode, but the foot never fully left the gas.
Zac Maupin added to the tally just 2:20 into the period off feeds from Christofferson and
Jake Lange. Later, Jones struck again on the power play, his second of the tournament, with Robinson and
Alex Cameron earning assists to make it 8-0 with 2:57 remaining.
Lindenwood out shot Nebraska 68-18 with senior goaltender
Justin Grenon stopping every shot he faced for the shutout with a steady and composed effort behind a defense that limited second chances and erased any hope of momentum for the Huskers. It was a statement win. Back at Regionals for the first time in six years, the Lions didn't simply participate, they dictated, controlled and overwhelmed, but now the stakes rise.
Lindenwood will seek to punch its ticket to the ACHA DII National Championship tournament which is taking place on home ice with a showdown against Michigan State on Saturday. The Spartans pulled off an upset of No. 3 Minnesota, so they have some momentum. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Kube Sports Complex.
