Lindenwood scored in overtime for 4-3 win over Air Force

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Lindenwood's David Gagnon scored at 2:59 of overtime to lift the Lions to a 4-3 win over Air Force, Sunday, Oct. 8, at the Cadet Ice Arena. The two teams split the non-conference series.

Lindenwood (1-1-0) opened the scoring just 3:28 into the game after finishing a check and forcing a turnover in the Air Force end. Caleb Price set up Drew Kuzma in front for his second goal of the series and a 1-0 lead. After Jacob Marti drew a penalty, the Falcons tied the game on the power play. On the rush, the Falcons gained the zone and Will Gavin hit Chris Hedden at the center point. Hedden found Clayton Cosentino slashing to the front net and the junior center scored his fourth career power play goal at 6:39.

Less than a minute into the second period, a major penalty was called on Lion Mitch Allard for a hit on Mason McCormick and the Falcons had a five-minute power play. Lindenwood killed the penalty and held Air Force to just four shots on goal. Once back to even strength, Lindenwood scored two goals in less than four minutes for a 3-1 lead. Ethan Zielke skated through traffic and found Jake Southgate on the right side for a 2-1 lead at 11:43. The Lions took a 3-1 lead as Kabore Dunn made a pass from behind the net and Caige Sterzer scored from the top of the crease at 15:11. Late in the period, the Falcons scored on the rush. Luke Rowe pushed a puck up the wall to Brian Adams with speed in the neutral zone. Just as Adams was getting it, he dropped the puck to Austin Schwartz who netted his third of the series at 16:43.

The Lions clung to the one-goal lead as Air Force pulled the goalie with 2:52 remaining. With time running down, Rowe went cross ice to Hedden at the right point. Hedden found Parker Brown on the backdoor and the senior tied the game with one second remaining in regulation.

In overtime, Air Force had possession early, but then Lindenwood controlled the puck in the Falcon end. Kyle Jeffers set up David Gagnon for a one-timer on the right side for the game-winner at 2:59 of overtime.

Air Force outshot Lindenwood, 35-30, in the game. The Falcons were 1-for-6 on the power play and killed all four of the Lion power plays. Guy Blessing made 26 saves for the Falcons while Trent Burnham made 32 for Lindenwood.

"We need to get better in a lot of ways," head coach Frank Serratore said. "We need to control the things we can control. We chased the scoreboard the whole game and it is awfully hard to turn a game when you get behind by two goals. But give our guys credit, they battled. Schwartz's goal late in the second period was massive. We had plenty of chances to win that game in regulation, but their goalie was really good."

Air Force continues its four-game home stand by hosting ninth-ranked Michigan State, Thursday-Friday, Oct. 12-13, at 7:05 pm each night at Cadet Ice Arena.

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