The Lions made a stop in Denver, Colorado this past weekend to face the number one ranked team in the country. The Lions came into this weekend’s series with a record of 2-5-1, while the Pioneers came into the weekend with a record of 8-0-0.
The first period of the first game saw both teams being held scoreless. The Lions held the number-one-ranked offense in the country to no goals and only 11 shots on goal in the opening period, while the Lions had seven shots on goal in the frame.
The second period is when the Pioneers would get to their game, and ultimately took control of the game. The first goal of the game would be scored at even strength by the Pioneers at 5:36. Then, about three minutes later, the Pioneers would add another goal to make it 2-0. Four minutes later at 12:16, the best power play in the country by Denver would strike to make it 3-0. The Pioneers outshot the Lions 17-8 in the second period.
The Lions would get on the board early in the third period at 2:26. The goal was scored by Tyler Loughman, and assisted by Brody Mortensen and Mitch Allard. For Loughman, it was his first Career NCAA goal, making the score 3-1. However, the Pioneers power play would find the mark again, with a goal at 11:53 of the period to make it 4-1.
The Lions would fall to the final score of 4-1 in the game. The Pioneers outshot the Lions 18-9 in the third, and 46-24 for the game. Lions goalie Owen Bartoszkiewicz played very well, stopping 42 of the 46 shots that he faced in the loss.
Game two of the series took place on Saturday night in Denver. The opening goal of the game was scored by the Pioneers at 11:11 of the opening period. The Lions could not find the back of the net in the first period, but they did outshoot the Pioneers 8-5.
The Lions would get on the board in the second period with a goal by Loughman, assisted by Drew Kuzma and David Gagnon at 12:21. Loughman was the only Lion that was able to find the back of the net this series against Denver. The game would stay tied at one as the third period began. The Pioneers outshot the Lions 15-5 in the second period.
The third period saw the Pioneers find their footing, and taking the lead with a goal at 5:18. They would score again at 11:07 of the period, to take a two goal lead. Then, late in the third at 17:40, that red hot Pioneer’s power play would add another to make the final score 4-1. The Lions outshot the Pioneers 6-5 in the third period, and 27-19 in the game. Lions goalie Bartoszkiewicz stopped 23 of the 27 shots faced in the loss.
After the series against Denver, the Lions now sit with a record of 2-7-1 on the season. For the Pioneers, they improve to a record setting 10-0-0 to begin the season.
Next up for the Lions is another test, when they face #13 ranked Ohio State at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri on Nov. 15th and 16th.
