complete game notes in .pdf format

Storyline
The Lindenwood women's ice hockey team has another program first this week when it hosts a NCAA opponent for the first time at the Lindenwood Ice Arena. The Lady Lions will take on one of the top programs in college hockey in Mercyhurst in a two-game series. The two teams will meet on Friday at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday at noon.

The Lady Lions were off last week after opening the season with eight straight road games. Lindenwood continues to make small improvements each time out, but has yet reached the point where it has played well for a full 60 minutes and played out a victory.

Mercyhust is 4-2 on the year and riding a three-game winning streak. The Lakers have not allowed a goal for over 130 minutes after shutting out Providence twice in their last series.

Last Time Out
Lindenwood lost a pair of games to Colgate by scores of 7-2 and 8-2. The Lady Lions fell in big holes early on, as they were behind 4-0 after the first period each contest.

The highlight in game one for Lindenwood came in the second period when the Lady Lions outscored Colgate. It was the first period this year that Lindenwood achieved that.

In the second game, Lindenwood recorded its most shots on goal of the season, as well as allowing the fewest shots. The Lady Lions also gained more power play opportunities in both games of the series.

W Scoring Connection
Lindenwood's duo of Alison Wickenheiser and Alyssa West stepped up their production against Colgate and showed they are two of the top offensive threats for the Lady Lions.

The two players scored in both games of the series and combined for six points against Colgate.

For the season, Wickenheiser leads the team with four goals and six points. West has recorded two goals and one assist on the year. West leads the team with 23 shots on goal, four more than Wickenheiser.

Other Point Scorers
Four other players have recorded at least two points this season for Lindenwood. Kendra Broad and Katie Erickson each had three points. Broad has a goal and two assists, while Erickson leads the team with three assists. Allysson Arcibal and Caitlyn Post have two points each. Arcibal has a goal and an assist, while Post has two assists.

Goalkeeping Numbers
Taylor Fairchild has been in goal for Lindenwood for nearly 447 of the team's 480 minutes. She has faced 429 shots on the season and has made 365 saves. Only one goalie in the NCAA Division I statistical leaders has made more than 200 saves this season. (Providence's Genevieve Lacasse has 223 saves.)

Briar Bache has played 33 minutes and made 14 saves in 18 chances.

Improved Faceoffs
Lindenwood has improved its faceoff percentage the last two series. After winning around 30 percent of the faceoffs the first four games, the Lady Lions won 43.4 percent in the Robert Morris series and 46.5 percent in the Colgate series.

Three players are winning half or better of their faceoffs. Caitlyn Post leads the team by winning 52.2 percent. Both Alyssa West and Sarah Oliphant have won 50 percent.

Goal Breakdowns
Over half of Lindenwood's goals this season have come on the power play. The team has six power-play goals, three even strength goals, and two shorthanded tallies.

First Points
Three Lindenwood players scored their first points of the season versus Colgate. Alyssa West had a breakout weekend with two goals and an assist. Samantha Redick assisted on a goal in the first game of the series, and Mara Post had an assist during game two versus the Raiders.

Home Record
During its years in the ACHA, the Lady Lions were nearly unbeatable at the Lindenwood Ice Arena. Lindenwood had a 91-8-5 ACHA record on its home ice.

Vs. Ranked Team
Lindenwood is 0-2-0 this season against nationally-ranked teams. The team opened up its season with two losses against No. 1 Wisconsin. The scores were 11-0 and 13-0.

Vs. CHA
Lindenwood has played one other College Hockey America team this year. The Lady Lions lost both games at Robert Morris by scores of 8-0 and 7-2. Lindenwood has six remaining games against CHA teams after this series.

Common Opponent
Lindenwood and Mercyhurst have one common opponent this year in Minnesota State. The Lady Lions lost both games by scores of 4-3 and 10-2. Mercyhurst split its series with Minnesota State, losing the opening 3-2 and winning game two by a 5-4 score.

About the Lakers
Mercyhurst is the top program in the CHA as it has won all nine conference tournament championships since the league was formed in 2002. The Lakers have reached the national tournament the last seven years, and they were national runner-ups in 2009.

This season, Mercyhurst is 4-2-0 and ranked eighth in the country. Christine Bestland leads the team with seven points, Bailey Bram has a team-high six goals, and Jess Jones leads with five assists. Goalie Hillary Pattenden has a 1.32 GAA, a .954 save percentage, and three shutouts.

Head coach Michael Sisti has won over 300 games in 13 seasons at the school

Up Next
Lindenwood will face a pair of NCAA Division III programs next week. The Lady Lions travel to Saint Benedict on Nov. 4 and St. Catherine on Nov. 5.