MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The Lindenwood men's hockey team (15-15-0) saw their season come to an end with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss against Alaska (15-15-3) in the United Collegiate Hockey Cup championship game on Saturday night. The Lions overcame a two-goal third period deficit before falling short in the extra period.

LU suffered the loss despite creating a substantial advantage in shots on goal, sending 42 shots on target compared to just 22 for UAF, outshooting the Nanooks 23-9 in the third period.

Jacob Fletcher led the Lindenwood offense with a goal and assist, standing as the only Lion to record multiple points in the contest.

Despite a high level of physicality throughout the contest, only one penalty was called, with Lindenwood failing to convert on the lone power play opportunity.

Game Overview
The game remained scoreless for most of the opening period before Fairbanks went ahead with a Peyton Platter goal at the 15:34 mark. Lindenwood answered back a little of five minutes into period two with Ethan Zielke scoring on an assist from Anselmo Rego to tie the game.

However, Alaska responded with back-to-back goals by Michael Citara at 13:13 and Dean Spak at 14:20 to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

Lindenwood got one back at the 10:16 mark of the third period as Louis-Philippe Fontaine touched twine from the top of the circle off a faceoff win by Jacob Fletcher. Fletcher would then score a goal of his own at the 17:22 mark to force overtime, with Jake Southgate and Michael Bevilacqua assisting on the play.

Overtime would be brief, though, as Alaska's Chase Dafoe scored just 24 seconds in to secure the win and crown the Nanooks the first ever United Collegiate Hockey Cup champion.

Two Lions were named to the All-Tournament team, including forward Jacob Fletcher and defenseman Nolan Seed.

Lindenwood ends 2025-26 with an overall record of 15-15-0, setting a new program high mark for wins in a season. The Lions had previously won no more than eight games during a single campaign.

United Collegiate Hockey Cup All-Tournament Team

MVP: Lassi Lehti, Alaska Fairbanks

Forwards
Michael Citara, Alaska Fairbanks
Jacob Fletcher, Lindenwood
Noah Serdachny, LIU

Defensemen
Nolan Seed, Lindenwood
Nathan Rickey, Alaska Fairbanks

Goaltender
Lassi Lehti, Alaska Fairbanks