DII Flames freshman foward Anthony Emme skates the puck past a Lindenwood defenseman in Friday night's series opener. (Photos by KJ Jugar)
Lions maintain mastery over DII Flames, winning second-game shootout at the LIC
1/15/2025 10:47:00 PM | Men's D2 Hockey
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Liberty fell to 0-3-1 on the season against Lindenwood, which eliminated it from last season's ACHA DII National Championships.
For the second time in two months, Liberty University's ACHA Division II men's hockey team — ranked second in the Southeast Region — was swept by Lindenwood (Mo.) University in rematches of last season's nationals showdown won by the Lions, this past weekend at the LaHaye Ice Center.
After falling by 4-2 and 5-4 scores Nov. 8-9 at the Centene Community Ice Center, Lindenwood's home arena and site of the ACHA National Championships, the Flames dropped Friday's spring semester series opener, 5-2, before taking the Lions to a shootout in Saturday's second game, a 3-2 setback.
Lindenwood (23-1-3) outshot Liberty (13-8-4) by a 44-26 margin in the first game and 45-35 in the rematch, with senior goalie Lane Skon making a total of 82 saves. The Lions opened a 3-0 lead by the 5:16 mark of the first period, sparked by a first goal by Michael Mullen at the 15:45 mark of the first period.
Lindenwood stretched it to 4-0 with a power-play goal in the second before the Flames finally got on the scoreboard when Mark Padgett scored unassisted with 14:18 left in the third. Fellow junior forward Thomas Kayner then answered a power-play goal by the Lions with one of his own on a man advantage, finishing feeds from Padgett and senior forward Jared Matley with 8:52 remaining in regulation.
On Saturday, Liberty struck first on senior forward Roman Lamoureux's goal off assists from graduate defenseman Dylan Kent and Johnson at the 14:41 mark of the first period. Lindenwood tied it midway through the second period before sophomore defenseman Cade Pawluk converted a power-play goal at the 3:19 mark, lifting the Flames to a 2-1 lead.
However, Mullen netted his second consecutive goal for Lindenwood early in the third period and the Lions forced a scoreless five-minute overtime, with the Flames killing off a power play for the final minute. In then shootout, the Lions capitalized on four of their six chances, including one my Mullen, while Liberty netted only two of six tries, by Kayner and Kent.
Liberty will return to action with a home and home series against North Carolina State (18-4-2), ranked seventh in the Southeast Region. The Flames will host the Icepack on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. in the LIC before traveling to face them Friday at 8:15 p.m. at at the Wake Competition Center, the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes' practice facility in Morrisville, N.C. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
From Feb. 21-23, N.C. State will host the Southeast Region Championships (for the region's Nos. 3-10-ranked teams) at the Wake Competition Center and next season, the Icepack will be moving up to the ACHA DI ranks.
By Ted Allen/Staff WriterGraduate forward Dylan Kent controls the puck surrounded by a pride of Lions in this past weekend's series at the LaHaye Ice Center.
