The Lions returned to the Centene Community Ice Center on Friday night after 12 days off. The team came into this series against the Flames on a nine-game win streak, and with a record of 11-0-1 on the season, while the Flames came into the series with a record of 8-4-1.
The first period was quiet until the final two minutes of the frame, when the Lions scored two goals. First, it was Stanley Lucas scoring his sixth goal of the season on the power play, assisted by Austin Meers and Nick Jones at 18:56. Then, just 23 seconds later at 19:19, Gage Vierzba would score his eighth goal of the season, assisted by both Adam Rischbieter and Michael Mullen. The Lions would head into the second with a 2-0 lead, outshooting the Flames 16-10 in the first.
The Lions would score early in the second period on the power play at 4:20. The goal was scored by Chase McClellan, assisted by Mullen and Ryan Granville. Then at 5:58 of the period, the Flames would get on the board to make the score 3-1. Then the Flames would score again late in the second at 17:53 on a power play of their own to make it 3-2 heading into the third period. The Lions outshot the Flames 13-7 in the second period.
The Lions played well defensively in the third period, holding the Flames scoreless. The only goal of the period was at 5:24 by Jones. Mullen and Jacob Behnen got the assists to make the final score 4-2 for the Lions. The Lions outshot the Flames 13-7 in the third period and 42-24 for the game.
Lions goalie Cole Wheaton continues his great play this season stopping 22 of 24 shots that he faced in the win.
In the Lions’ second game of the weekend against the Flames, they won by a score of 5-4, outshooting the Flames 46-22 in the win.
With the sweep the Lions now sit with a record of 13-0-1 on the season. The Lions will hit the road next week as they take on Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida on Nov. 15th and 16th.
