PHOTO GALLERY: https://photos.archcity.media/Mickolas/Lindenwood-University/Lindenwood-vs-Air-Force-101422/
The Lindenwood men’s hockey team (1-4-1) scored three unanswered goals in the third period to pick up a 7-6 win over Air Force (0-2-1, 0-0-0 AHA) in their first Division I home game on Friday night from Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo.
GAME OVERVIEW
Air Force got on the board first, grabbing a 1-0 lead at the 6:28 mark of the opening period. Lindenwood responded shortly after, netting the equalizer just over two minutes later as David Gagnon finished off a one-timer on the man advantage, assisted by Ryan Finnegan and Kyle Jeffers. A minute later, the Lions grabbed the lead when Andy Willis found the back of the net, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead. Kieran Ruschienski and Mitch Allard picked up assists on the goal. The Falcons tied the game late in the period as the score was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play.
Air Force scored four quick goals in the second period to jump out to a 6-2 lead. The Lions kept battling, as Max Neill cut the lead to 6-3 at the 13:08 mark of the frame. He was assisted by Adam Conquest and Caleb Price. Lindenwood earned a late powerplay opportunity, which they converted. Jeffers was assisted by Willis and Joe Prouty on the man advantage with 58 seconds left, cutting the lead to 6-4, which would be the score after 40 minutes of play.
The score remained 6-4 in favor of the Falcons until Hunter Johannes injected life into the building, scoring a shorthanded goal at the 12:54 mark of the final period. Shortly after Gagnon scored again, assisted by Finnegan and Coltan Wilkie on the powerplay, tying the game 6-6. Lindenwood pushed for the go-ahead goal and got it with less than two minutes to go as Finnegan was assisted by Drew Kuzma and Gagnon, taking the 7-6 lead. The Lions withstood an empty-net push from the Falcons, picking up their first NCAA Division I win
GAME LEADERS
Gagnon (two goals, one assist)
Ryan Finnegan (one goal, two assists)
Andy Willis (one goal, one assist)
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will close out its series with Air Force tomorrow afternoon at 2:10 p.m. from Centene Community Ice Center.
