Men's ice hockey opens the season on Saturday by hosting its first home game at the new Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. 

The Lions had a successful 2018-19 season after posting an overall record of 31-2-0.  They advanced all the way to the finals of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men's Division I National Championship, but fell to Minot State 1-0. 

Head Coach Rick Zombo returns three of his top performers from last year.  Junior forward Zach Mitchell led Lindenwood with 23 goals during the regular season and added 17 assists for 40 points.  Sophomore forward Ryan Finnegan led the Lions in assists with 30 and helped on 10 other goals for 40 points as well.  Junior goalie Cooper Seedott had a perfect regular season record at 24-0.  He only gave up 35 goals all year for a 1.45 goals against average and .938 save percentage.  Zombo returns 16 other players from the 2018-19 campaign and adds another 11 with the incoming recruiting class.

The opponent for the two-game series is long-time non-conference rival Central Oklahoma.  The Bronchos posted a 22-11-4 mark last year and are ranked ninth in the ACHA Pre-Season Ranking.  Central Oklahoma gave Lindenwood its only regular season loss last year.  The Lions are ranked second in the ranking, so it should be a great showdown to begin play at the new arena.

The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.