Men's ACHA Division II ice hockey cruised to an 8-3 victory over Sault College in a Lindenwood Showcase contest Friday afternoon at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. 

The Lions scored four in the opening frame to build a 4-1 lead and then kept the Cougars at bay from there. Praveen Dhaliwal hit the back of the net first for Lindenwood on the power play at the 2:01 mark, then Jacob Behnen split the pipes at 6:22. Shane Ziegler quickly made it 3-0 just 42-seconds later. Sault College scored at 11:45, but Josh Linn answered for the Lions with 4:55 remaining in the first.

The Cougars made it 4-2 early in the following period, but Linn countered with his second goal of the game on the power play at 11:21. Jack Radley followed with an even strength effort with 1:27 left in the second and Lindenwood carried a 6-2 lead into the third.

The Lions added two more in the final 20-minutes while only allowing one against. Stanley Lucas sounded the horn first just 1:46 into the period, then Chase McClellan wrapped up scoring for Lindenwood at 14:10. Sault College took advantage of a power play opportunity for the final goal of the game with 3:24 remaining in regulation.

Linn led the Lions offense with four points on two goals and two assists, followed by Dhaliwal and Behnen with three points each on a goal and two assists. Michael Errico made 13 saves on 16 shots faced as Lindenwood outshot the Cougars 44-16. The Lions special teams were strong, going 2/6 on the power play while holding Sault to one goal on five man-advantage chances.

With the win, Lindenwood improved to 4-1 overall. As the Lindenwood Showcase continues, the Lions will host Marian University (Wisc.) Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. and Florida Gulf Coast Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with both taking place at the Centene Community Ice Center.