The Lindenwood men's hockey team (7-19-0) was narrowly edged by Arizona State (15-18-0), dropping the series finale 5-3 on Saturday night inside Mullett Arena in Tempe, Ariz.

GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions came out with some jump, looking sharp early. That lead to the first goal of the game as Zach Aughe carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired a shot which trickled in as Mitch Allard was driving hard to the net, giving Lindenwood a 1-0 lead at the 8:03 mark. Caige Sterzer also picked up an assist on the goal for his third point of the series. On the go-ahead goal, however, Allard was assessed a goalie interference penalty. On the ensuing powerplay, Arizona State made quick work, tying the game 1-1 just 28 seconds later. Shortly after, David Gagnon had a partial break, but was denied three-consecutive times by the Sun Devils netminder, keeping the game tied. The Lions dealt with some late penalty troubles, but the two teams were deadlocked after 20 minutes.

Lindenwood opened the period by killing the remaining three minutes and 28 seconds of a major. This allowed them to settle in and grab the lead as Cade DeStefani roofed a shot from a tight angle assisted by Max Neill, putting the Lions in front at the 7:06 mark. The middle frame would be a back-and-forth one with the Sun Devils tying the game a few minutes later, 2-2. Lindenwood would garb the lead again, however on the man advantage. Gagnon found Ryan Finnegan down low who converted a slick spin move near the goal line putting Lindenwood back in front 3-2. Andy Willis also picked up an assist on the go-ahead goal. ASU would respond back, tying the game 3-3 at the 15:06 mark of the period, which would be the score after 40 minutes.

Arizona State grabbed the 4-3 lead early in the final period. The frame continued with that same score but Lindenwood was given a pair of powerplays in the later half of the period, including one late as the Lions made a strong push to tie the game, but couldn't find the equalizer. The Sun Devils sealed the win with an empty-net goal with under 30 seconds remaining to pick up the 5-3 victory.

GAME LEADERS
Gagnon (one assist, five shots)
Allard (one assist, 13 FOW)
DeStefani (one goal, four shots)

UP NEXT
The Lions will travel to Plymouth, Mich. for a pair of exhibition games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Game one will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24.