The Lindenwood men's hockey team (4-10-0) returns to the ice this weekend and will take on the defending national champion, the University of Denver Pioneers (14-4-0, 8-2-0 NCHC) in a two-game series from Denver, Colo. Game one on Friday is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT and can be seen on TSN2 across Canada. The series finale is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
 
In their last series 26 days ago, the Lions dropped both games to the Wisconsin Badgers by scores of 4-3 and 5-1, respectively. Three of the four goals scored by Lindenwood came from the stick of a defenseman. The Lions continue to get production from the blue line with defenseman scoring a goal in four-straight games, led by Caleb Price with three.
 
Trent Burnham was strong between the pipes in game one, making 47 saves. The Eagle Rivers, Alaska native has stopped 40 or more shots in four games this season, including a season-high 48 on October 7 against Michigan. The sophomore netminder has compiled a .911 save percentage to go along with 4.03 goals against average.
 
Burnham and the Lions are familiar with Denver as Lindenwood took on the Pioneers last season in an exhibition. Mitch Allard scored the opening goal of the game just one minute and 49 seconds into the opening period. Burnham was solid between the pipes, making 26 saves.
 
Denver enters the weekend as the nation's top-ranked team. So far this season, the Pioneers have compiled a record of 14-4-0, including a 8-2-0 mark inside conference play.
 
Lindenwood will be looking for its first win over a ranked team in program history as the Lions have already faced No. 3 Minnesota and No. 6 Michigan this season.