The Lindenwood men's ice hockey team saw its eight game winning streak against rival Illinois snapped Saturday afternoon, falling 4-3 in an overtime shootout. The loss handed the Lions their fourth defeat in conference play, and leaves the regular season title up for grabs going into the final weeks of the season.
The Lions got on the board first when
Adam Krefski scored five minutes into the game. Illinois would respond with a tally later in the period to tie it at one.
Carson Hamil would score early in the second to put Lindenwood back on top. However, the Illini would find the back of the net twice in the second and would take a 3-2 lead into the final period.
With less than six minutes remaining,
Grant Gorczyca scored to tie it up at four apiece. The game would eventually venture into overtime where neither team could score. In the shootout, the Illini connected on their first two attempts, and won it when
Jake Ebner and Hamil were denied scoring chances.
Robi Cavallari took the loss in goal.
Lindenwood defeated Illinois 5-1 Friday night. The Lions have now won eight straight against the Illini.
Jake Coyle continues to shine in a Lions uniform, putting the team up 1-0 midway through the first.
Steve Balint would score minutes later to push the lead to two.
Illinois would score in the opening minutes of the second, but Krefski scored his 27th goal of the season, moments later to make it 3-1. The score would remain that way late into the third when Hamil scored with three minutes remaining.
Tim Gardner add a shorthanded goal in the closing seconds of the contest to cap the scoring.
Cavallari earned the victory in goal, his 51st as a Lion.
Lindenwood (33-5, 14-4) will conclude the regular season next weekend at home against Robert Morris.