The Lindenwood roller hockey team won two games and tied another in round robin action to earn the number one seed and a first round bye in bracket play at the 2012 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Division 1 Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah April 11-12.  The Lions picked up victories against California Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) and Michigan State and tied a game against California State University-Long Beach.

Lindenwood made a strong opening statement on Wednesday by winning its first game 9-2 against Cal Poly SLO, the national runner-up from a year ago.  Goalie Brett Humes held the Mustangs at bay as he stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced.  Daniel Inouye led the Lions offense with three goals and an assist.  Mike Inouye picked up two goals and an assist while Casey Escarcega had a goal and an assist.

Lindenwood faced a battle in its second game of the day, skating to a 5-5 tie against Cal State-Long Beach.  Escarcega keyed the offense with two goals and an assist while Michael Inouye added a goal and an assist and Vinny Cafone scored once for the Lions.  Kevin Dwyer stopped 17 of 22 shots between the pipes.

In the lone game for Lindenwood on Thursday, the Lions stopped Michigan State 3-2.  Humes was stellar in goal once again as he made 20 saves on 22 shots.  With defense ruling the day, Lindenwood had several players on offense that made an impact. Matt Sexton was one of them with two assists while Escarcega had one.  Cafone and Daniel Inouye each scored a goal for the Lions and Michael Inouye lit the lamp on a power play for the game winner at the 7:50 mark in the third period. 
  
Lindenwood improved to 24-0-1 for the season.  After a first round bye, the Lions face Arizona State University in the second round of bracket play on Friday.  Lindenwood has faced the Sun Devils twice in previous playoff runs winning both games, most recently during the 2011 Championships when the Lions picked up a 7-4 victory. The puck drops at 10 a.m. at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah.  If they can advance, they will face either Ohio State or the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in round three later in the day.  Fans can follow the games at the NCRHA web site. 

The NCRHA Division 1 Championships continue through April 14.  Lindenwood is seeking its ninth national title.  The Lions fell in the semifinals at the 2011 event, losing to Long Beach State University 5-4.

NCRHA web site