The Lindenwood men’s hockey team (5-13-0) defeated the University of Vermont (7-12-1, 2-10-0 Hockey East), 3-2 in overtime, earning the series split with the Catamounts on Saturday afternoon from Burlington, Vt.
GAME OVERVIEW
Both goaltenders were strong in the opening period, as quality scoring chances were hard to come by. Trent Burnham stopped all 14 shots he faced, with each team killing off one powerplay each in the opening 20 minutes. The score remained 0-0 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Vermont started quickly in the middle frame, taking a 1-0 lead at the 2:58 mark of the period. Shortly after, Lindenwood earned a man advantage opportunity, which it capitalized on. Cade DeStefani took a handoff from Kabore Dunn and DeStefani wristed one past the Catamounts netminder, tying the game 1-1 at the 7:57 mark. Hunter Johannes also picked up a helper on the game-tying score. Less than five minutes later Vermont grabbed the lead, going up 2-1 with just under seven minutes to go in the period. Once again, the Lions responded, this time off the stick of And Willis. David Gagnon won a board battle and pushed the puck ahead to Drew Kuzma who found the stick of Willis, who tied the game 2-2, which would be the score after 40 minutes.
Lindenwood looked for the go-ahead goal in the third period, generating two powerplay opportunities. The final frame continued tied, however. Burnham came up big on a few occasions late with some help of a post, which Vermont hit with two seconds left as the contest would need overtime.
In the overtime session, Lindenwood controlled the puck, generating the only two shots on goal of the extra frame. At the 1:13 mark, Gagnon sent everyone home, as he continued to battle in front of the net, pouncing on a rebound to give Lindenwood a 3-2 win and series split. He was assisted by Johannes and Dunn on the game-winning score.
GAME LEADERS
Gagnon (one goal, one assist)
Dunn (two assist)
Johannes (two assist)
UP NEXT
The Lions travel to Grand Forks, N.D. for a two-game series with North Dakota, which begins Friday, Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
