Men’s hockey heads to No. 1 Denver this weekend

The Lindenwood men’s hockey team (4-10-0) returns to the ice this weekend to face the defending champion University of Denver Pioneers (14-4-0, 8-2-0 NCHC) in a two-game series from Denver, Colo. The first game on Friday is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT and can be seen on TSN2 across Canada. The series finale is set for 7:00 PM CT.

In their last series 26 days ago, the Lions dropped both games to the Wisconsin Badgers by scores of 4-3 and 5-1. Three of Lindenwood’s four goals came off the stick of a defenseman. The Lions continue to get production from the blue line as the defenseman has scored in four straight games, led by Caleb Price with three.

Trent Burnham was strong between the pipes in the first game, making 47 saves. The Eagle Rivers, Alaska native has stopped 40 or more shots in four games this season, including a season-high 48 on Oct. 7 against Michigan. The second-year netminder has compiled a .911 save percentage and a 4.03 goals-against average.

Burnham and the Lions are familiar with Denver as Lindenwood faced the Pioneers last season in an exhibition. Mitch Allard scored the game’s opening goal just one minute and 49 seconds into the opening period. Burnham was solid between the pipes and made 26 saves.

Denver enters the weekend as the top team in the country. So far this season, the Pioneers have compiled a 14-4-0 record, including an 8-2-0 mark in conference play.

Lindenwood is looking for its first win over a ranked team in program history, as the Lions have already faced No. 3 Minnesota and No. 6 Michigan this season.