After a season opening loss on Friday night, the Lions had hoped to earn a series split with a win Saturday afternoon against Adrian, but were denied in a 7-5 loss at the Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo. 
 
The strong physical style of play from the previous game carried over immediately for both teams and the Lions peppered the Bulldogs net minder early, but couldn't get a shot past him.  Freshman goaltender Michael Hails was tapped for his first collegiate start for Lindenwood and he was tested as well, but unlike his counterpart, the Lions rookie let a puck get past him in the first five minutes. 
 
Lindenwood  battled back a couple of minutes later when Brennan Anderson picked up his first collegiate goal to tie the game, firing home a shot assisted by Christian Argyros and Lukas Daniels. Hails soon had to answer a tough test when Adrian came calling on a breakaway, but he was equal to the task and turned away the shot to preserve the 1-1 tie.
 
Later in the first, the Lions lost their captain when senior forward Peppi Sipila had to leave the game with a knee injury. Lindenwood capitalized on the ensuing power play when a Mike Lozano slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle found the back of the net to give the Lions a 2-1 lead.  Brandon Rumble and Rock Einersen were credited with the assists and Lindenwood took that advantage into the first intermission.
 
The Lions took a penalty early in the second, but turned the tables on the Bulldogs when Argyros forced a turnover at the Adrian blue line and whipped the puck into the net for his first collegiate goal, giving Lindenwood a 3-1 lead.
 
Midway through the period, the Bulldogs started to find their offense again and cut into the deficit with a power play goal.  Despite solid play from the Lions defense, Adrian still found a way to get the equalizer with just a couple of minutes remaining and the game went into the third period tied 3-3. 
 
Much like the first game, penalties and special teams proved to be the backbreaker for Lindenwood.  The Bulldogs scored on two quick power plays early in the final frame to take a 5-3 lead.  The Lions countered by throwing everything they could at the Adrian net, but the Bulldogs goalie stood on his head to preserve the lead. 
 
With just under nine minutes left, Lindenwood drew another power play and this time, Stephen Bopp made it count with a rebound shot into the back of the net.  Now trailing 5-4, the Lions were within a goal, but the Bulldogs stretched their advantage with back-to-back scores.  Lindenwood managed to split the pipes one last time late in the third, but it wasn't enough as Adrian ran out the clock to sweep the series.   
 
After starting 0-2, the Lions will stay at home next weekend for two games against Central Oklahoma September 27-28.  The Bronchos are coming off of a sweep of Texas A & M and will seek to continue their winning streak.  The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night and again at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo.