SOUTH BEND, IND. – On Friday night, men's ice hockey took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Lions would stun the Fighting Irish, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2. After the contest, the Lions improve to 6-17-2 on the 2024-25 campaign. The Fighting Irish would fall to 8-16-1 on the season.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The Fighting Irish would start the scoring on the night. With 14:14 left in the first period, Notre Dame would find the back of the net, squeaking a shot past the Lions goaltender's five-hole. Not more than a minute later with 13:16 left in the period, Notre Dame would score again, tallying their second goal on the night, from a tipped pass from the high slot. For the remainder of the period, the Lions would hold the Fighting Irish off the scoring column. The Lions themselves would find themselves scoreless in the period, resulting in the Lions trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. In the frame, the Lions would find seven shots on net. Owen Bartoszkiewicz would stop six shots in the period.

In period two, Lindenwood would find their first goal of the night with 11:20 left in the frame. The Lion's goal would be credited to Noah Houle, after Houle intercepted a Fighting Irish pass in the neutral zone, taking the puck to the net, and putting it past the Fighting Irish's goaltender's five-hole, cutting the Lion's deficit to one. This would be Houle's second goal of the season. With 5:17 left in the period, Houle would strike again for the Lions, scoring off a wrap-around. Houle's third goal of the season would be assisted by Joe Prouty and Kristof Papp. The Lions were not done scoring in the second period. Lindenwood would tally the eventual game-winner with 2:11 left in the second frame, coming from a Tyler Loughman back-handed shot, past the Fighting Irish netminder. Loughman's fourth goal of the season would be assisted by David Gagnon and Brody Mortensen. At the end of the period, the Lions would lead 3-2. In the frame, Lindenwood would find eight shots on net. Bartoszkiewicz would stop ten shots.

In the third period, both teams would be held off the scoring column, resulting in a 3-2 win for the Lions. In the period, Lindenwood found four shots on net. Bartoszkiewicz would stop ten shots.

The Lions would end the contest with 19 shots on net. Bartoszkiewicz would finish with 26 saves on the night.

QUOTABLE
"Really proud of the character and compete in our guys. We were down early and had a couple of bad bounces and defensive miscues. The comeback all started with our goaltender, Owen Bartoszkiewicz, shutting the door," said head coach Bill Muckalt. "The second period was the turning point in our game. A lot of guys stepped up and made some big plays. Noah Houle was fantastic for us, scoring two goals and Tyler Loughman had a great forecheck and got rewarded going to the net and was the difference in the game," said Muckalt.
 
Muckalt would conclude by saying "I thought our penalty kill was outstanding. Our composure as a group in the third period, to hang on for the victory was a big factor. I was very impressed with Notre Dame and tomorrow night is going to be another big test."

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points – Houle (2)
Goals – Houle (2)
Assists – Four Tied (1)
Shots on Goal – Houle (4)
Plus/Minus – Three Tied (+2)
Faceoff Wins – Ethan Zielke (8)
Blocks – Artyom Borshyov (5)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions are set for round two against the Fighting Irish, battling Notre Dame, January 25, at 5:00 PM CT.