After starting the regular season with five straight losses, men's ice hockey found its stride once conference play began.  The Lions won their first six games in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL), and finished 2014 with a lead, but the new calendar year proved to be tough as wins became harder and harder to find.  In the last eight games, Lindenwood did manage to get wins against top ranked Arizona State and conference rival Ohio, but that was combined with six losses along the way.

So, the Lions were hoping to finish on a high note, with a win and a split of the two-game series with Robert Morris (Ill.), but it was not to be as the Eagles shutout Lindenwood 3-0 Saturday night in Bensenville, Ill.

Despite a 1-0 Robert Morris lead after the first period, the Lions were optimistic after getting a power play opportunity, but to the joy of the partisan crowd, the Eagles erupted for two short-handed goals in a matter of 20 seconds and Lindenwood never recovered.

Robert Morris had a slight advantage in shots 27-25, and Michael Hails stopped 24 of 27 chances, but the Lions never found any rhythm on offense.

With the loss, Lindenwood finished the regular season at 14-14-2 and posted a 9-6-1 record in the CSCHL.
The Lions will have to regroup quickly this week ahead of the conference playoffs, which are set for February 20-22 in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.