The Lions lost 3-1 to Indiana University in the semifinals of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men's Division II National Championship at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Lindenwood entered the tournament as the top-ranked team in the Central Division, but ran into a Hoosiers team that showed great defense and goaltending.
The Lions had multiple chances to score throughout the game. The first chance came just over five minutes into the game when Indiana was called for interference, but Lindenwood was called for embellishing the play, and both teams skated 4-on-4 with neither man on. team score. The Lions had to kill a cross-check penalty at 16:34 before getting a power play opportunity of their own on a hooking call against the Hoosiers, but the first period ended in a 0-0 tie.
Indiana was called for three penalties in the second, but Lindenwood was unable to capitalize on any of them. The Lions were able to thwart a cross-check call early in the period, but a stumbled penalty at 11:40 led to the Hoosiers' first goal at 12:39, and they held a 1-0 lead until the final frame. Proceeded.
Lindenwood pushed for the tying goal in the third and the Lions were able to get a few shots on net, but Indiana continued to defend well. A puck error then led to a steal for the Hoosiers and an unassisted goal at 9:47, giving Indiana a 2-0 advantage.
A roughing penalty against Lindenwood at the 14:43 mark threatened to widen the lead, but the Lions managed to keep the lead to just two points. Time was running out in the game when the Hoosiers were called for interference with 1:59 remaining.Lindenwood pulled a goaltender. ethan pauline hatch The strategy paid off as they won 6-4. stanley lucas rang the horn in a play staged by Jacob Behnen and austin mears At 18:42, the Lions were within one point.
After the ensuing faceoff, Lindenwood waited to get the ball in the offensive zone before pulling Pauline Hatch again, but this time the Hoosiers got the puck and scored an empty-netter to make it 3-1. Decided victory.
The Lions outscored Indiana 32-26, and Pauline Hatch stopped 23 of the 25 shots she faced in the loss. Lindenwood went 1-of-5 on the power play and allowed the Hoosiers to score on four man-advantage opportunities. Indiana ultimately defeated Miami (Ohio) University 5-4 in overtime to win the ACHA D2 national title.
The Lions advanced to the national semifinals for the third time in the past four seasons and finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 31 wins and 10 losses.
