Game Day Info
Lindenwood (14-14-0) vs. US National Team Development Program (USNTDP)
Maryland Heights, Mo. | Centene Community Ice Center
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Puck Drop
The Lindenwood men's hockey team hosts a pair of late season exhibition contests against the US National Team Development Program this weekend. Game one will be played outdoors - a first of its kind moment for the LU hockey program.
Last Time Out
Lindenwood their final two games of the regular season last weekend against Alaksa Anchorage, falling 5-4 on Friday before bouncing back for a 4-2 win on Saturday.
The Lions appeared to force overtime with a last second goal in game one, but the score was waved off for goalie interference. LU created a 38-29 advantage in shots on goal in the contest while going 1-4 on the power play compared to 1-3 for UAA.
Olivier Houde and
Charles Savoie both registered three points, with Houde posting 2-1-3 an Savoie going for 1-2-3
Unconventional offense was the storyline for LU in the victory, with the Lions scoring two goals with only four men on the ice – including one short-handed – and adding an empty net goal in the contest's final minute.
Olivier Houde led the LU offense, registering two points (1-1-2) for his second consecutive multi-point performance, following up a three-point outing on Friday.
Liam Beerman turned away several good chances for UAA, finishing the night with 30 total saves.
Quick Hitters
- Friday night's game will be the first time Lindenwood has played outdoors in the program's four-year history.
- LU finished the regular season with a record of 14-14-0, setting a new program high mark for wins in a single season.
- The Lions are averaging 3.46 goals scored per game, which ranks them as the 11th best scoring offense nationally.
- Giovanni Morneau leads the team with 30 points on ten goals and a team-high 20 assists, tying the program record for points in a single season.
- Charles Savoie is averaging 0.81 assists per game, which ranks him 14th nationally. His 1.24 points per game is the 13th highest average in the country.
About the USNTDP
- The NTDP is the pinnacle of USA Hockey's amateur player development program, scouting and selecting the top 23 players in two age groups (Under-17 and Under-18) to train and develop in a highly competitive environment. The two teams face a rigorous domestic schedule including competition against older, more developed players.
- The NTDP has produced 432 NHL Draft picks since 1999, with 249 of those picks coming in the first three rounds, including 103 first-round selections.
- This season's Under-18 team features several top NHL Draft prospects, headlined by goaltender Brady Knowling, who was recently ranked as the top goalie prospect in North America by NHL Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.
- Other names to watch include forwards Wyatt Cullen, Casey Mutren, and Victor Plante, along with defenseman Luke Schairer, who are all ranked among the top 50 skaters in North America.
- All 23 players on the U18 squad have committed to play collegiately at some of the top programs in the country, including Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, and Boston University, among others
Series History
Record vs. USNTDP: 0-2-0
First Meeting: 2/24/23 (L, 4-12)
Last Meeting: 2/25/23 (L, 1-6)
Home Record: 0-0-0
Away Record: 0-2-0
Streak: L2
Statistical Leaders
Points: Giovanni Morneau (30)
Goals: Jacob Fletcher/Olivier Houde (11)
Assists: Giovanni, Morneua (20)
Blocks: Jake Delaney (36)
Saves: Klayton Knapp (459)
Next Up
Next up for Lindenwood is the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup, which will be hosted at Centene Community Ice Center March 5-7. The Lions' opening round opponent is to be determined.
