Top-ranked Lynx battle past No. 10 Warriors
By Matt Oliver
HAZELWOOD, Mo. – Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Waldorf College hockey team fell short in a 4-2 loss to Lindenwood University-Belleville during Friday’s series opener.
The Lynx (16-3) entered the night ranked No. 1 in the latest American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II Central Region poll and were led by two goals from Brad Edwards.
Alex Fleming and Reed Loucks scored goals for the No. 10 Warriors (12-7), who came ready to battle.
Lindenwood-Belleville built an early cushion with three goals in the opening period.
Tyler Weber put the Lynx on the scoreboard in the ninth minute of the first period following assists from Jared Bussard and Kyle Bishop.
Four minutes later, Jonathan Philley notched Lindenwood-Belleville’s second goal of the night. Brady Bruneau and Tanner Duffney assisted on the score.
Fleming trimmed the deficit in half as the junior forward from Orion, Ill. connected for a goal in the 17th minute of the first period. Senior Christian Weber and freshman Robert Danyo contributed assists.
Edwards delivered the game-winning goal, converting on a power play with 20 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Waldorf fought back and continued to challenge the Lynx. Loucks pulled the Warriors back within a goal, scoring in the 11th minute of the second period. The senior forward from Melita, Manitoba leads Waldorf with 10 goals on the season. Loucks was assisted by freshman Ryan Veillet and sophomore Matthew Liggett.
Edwards added his second goal of the night in the 18th minute of the second period, helping Lindenwood-Belleville maintain an edge. Brandon Janke and Daniel Skoglund assisted on the score.
The Lynx, who narrowly outshot Waldorf by a 27-23 margin, excelled on their penalty kill as they fended off the Warriors despite allowing six power plays.
Waldorf sophomore Ronald Paulson collected 23 saves in the loss.
The Warriors wrap up the season series with Lindenwood-Belleville on Saturday when the puck drops at 3:45 p.m.