The Lindenwood Women's Hockey team (4-9-0, 1-6-0 AHA) fell to Robert Morris in the series opener at home on Thursday night by a final score of 4-0. The Lions outshot the Colonials 22-17 through the first 40 minutes of play but were unable to find the back of the net throughout the contest.
Lindenwood's penalty kill unit was tested early, as Robert Morris earned a power play opportunity just 12 seconds into the game. The special teams unit stepped up, allowing no shots during the early five-on-four opportunity to keep the game scoreless. Later in the period, Lindenwood earned a power play at the 7:14 mark and recorded three shots on goal from Paige Cline, Tatiana Blichova, and Ellie Muscedere. Although the Lions were unable to capitalize, they continued to generate offensive pressure, adding five more shots on goal and finishing the opening period with a 9-6 advantage in shots.
The Lions continued to pressure the Colonials in the second period, recording three more shots on goal in the first five minutes. However, Robert Morris struck first at the 5:35 mark after a shot from Tilde Simensen resulted in a long rebound that sparked an odd-man rush in which the Colonials capitalized on to take a 1-0 lead.
Lindenwood earned another power play opportunity shortly after the RMU goal and created a quality scoring chance when Cline found herself with an open look near the back right post. However, the RMU goaltender made a sliding save to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
Lindenwood had another excellent opportunity later in the period when Simensen was awarded a penalty shot at the 13:04 mark, but the Colonials' goaltender came up with another sliding save to keep RMU in front by one.
Robert Morris extended their lead to 2-0 with less than a minute remaining in the second period before adding two more goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, including a power play goal and an empty net goal, to secure the 4-0 victory in the series opener. Cline led the Lions with eight shots on goal and generated several quality scoring opportunities, while freshman goaltender Ebba Ridderstolpe recorded 29 saves.
"Credit to Robert Morris tonight, they came in here with a little bit of fire." said head coach
Max Gavin. "I think we have more in the tank and I'd like to see us respond tomorrow and get back to our identity."
Lindenwood will close out the month of October with one more game against Robert Morris tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop from Centene Community Ice Center is set for 12 p.m. CT.Â
