FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Lindenwood men’s hockey team faced Alaska on Friday night, losing 5-2 in their first game of a two-game series. Despite having a slight edge in shots on goal, 36 to 34, the Lions struggled on power plays, converting only 1 of 7 opportunities.
The first period started with Alaska gaining momentum early. Jhett Larson scored just over nine minutes in, followed by Michael Sitara’s goal late in the period. The score was 2-0 by the end of the first period, with Lindenwood managing only five shots compared to Alaska’s 14.
In the second period, Lindenwood got a power play advantage due to a late penalty from Alaska. Ethan Elias found the net at 1:13, scoring off a rebound from Jake Southgate’s shot. This marked Elias’s first college goal. However, Alaska quickly regained their two-goal lead with Rylen Roersma scoring at 6:18.
The game continued without further scoring until the third period. Roersma netted another goal at 11:26, and Jackson Anderoson added a power play goal at 14:01, bringing the score to 5-1. Anselmo Rego scored for Lindenwood with just 10 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
What’s Next?
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 8:37 p.m. CT.
Recent Trends
Hockey games often pivot on special teams. This season, teams that had over 30% power play success rates won 70% of their games according to a recent analysis by the NHL. For Lindenwood, improving their power play effectiveness could be key in upcoming matchups.
Looking Back
Historically, teams that start strong often maintain their edge throughout the season. In fact, a study of previous seasons showed that the top-scoring teams typically dominated in the playoffs. This adds urgency for Lindenwood as they push to improve in their remaining games.
The team looks forward to bouncing back in the next game. Fans and players alike are hoping for a change in momentum. For more stats and player insights, visit the NHL’s official site.
