SU Falls to Lindenwood

By Brandon Ross

For much of Friday’s game, Syracuse and Lindenwood were in a dead heat. Through the first two periods, each team had practically matched one another in shot attempts, shots on goal, saves, and penalties, and SU had only the slightest advantage in faceoffs. But it was the Lions who came out on top in the end, taking down the Orange 1-0.

Neither team scored in the first two periods nor through a good chunk of the third. The contest’s only goal came off the stick of Lindenwood forward Taylor Girard, knocking the puck past Syracuse goalie Abbey Miller with 10:05 left to play. This comes despite the Orange finishing with eight more shots on goal than the Lions, as well as winning the faceoff matchup by four.

As has been the case much of the season, the SU struggled on the power play against the Lions. Syracuse had four power play opportunities, failing to capitalize each time. The Orange was successful on the penalty kill, however, shutting down both of Lindenwood’s power plays.

Aside from allowing the one goal, Miller had a solid performance. After getting benched for the second game of the RIT series last weekend, the senior racked up 22 saves on the night.

With the loss tonight, Syracuse doesn’t gain any points in the College Hockey America standings. Though the Orange sat only two points behind Mercyhurst before tonight’s game, the Lakers’ win over Robert Morris now puts SU four points back of the two teams tied for first. With only three games left in the regular season, the Orange has little time to make up ground if it hopes to finish in the top two and earn a first-round bye in the CHA tournament. The challenge continues tomorrow, as Syracuse will get another crack at Lindenwood at 1 pm.