The Lindenwood men’s hockey team played their first home games of the 2023-2024 season against the Augustana Vikings in a two-game series at the Centene Community Ice Center on Nov. 10. Before the game, Seeger Toyota sponsored a ceremonial puck drop.
In the first 90 seconds, the Lions lost the opening faceoff and started playing defensively. But they quickly recovered and started playing aggressively.
During the opening period, the Lions played very physically. Lions defenseman Kieran Ruscheniski laid a huge hit on an Augustana player. Shortly after, Augustana scored the game’s first goal, but the Lions regained control and scored, tying the game 1-1. However, the Vikings scored again, leading 2-1 as both teams entered the second period.
To start the second period, the Lions were on the power play. They began generating offense but found themselves in their own zone. The period seemed to favor Lindenwood, but Augustana managed to break their offensive plays and make them play defense. However, this led to the Vikings going on the penalty kill once again.
Halfway through the second period, the score remained 2-1 in favor of the Vikings. But Lindenwood managed to tie the game 2-2. Just when it seemed to be going in Lindenwood’s favor, the Vikings scored again, leading 3-2 heading into the third period.
In the third period, the Lions struggled to generate offense but managed to tie the game 3-3. The Lions and Vikings went into overtime, and the Vikings won 4-3.
The Lions split the series with the Vikings with a 5-3 win on Saturday’s night game. They will play Long Island University at the Centene Community Ice Center on Nov. 17.