Previewing Syracuse Ice Hockey’s Next Opponent Lindenwood
By Jared Valentin | @JaredValentin_
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Everyone needs rest. It allows your mind and body to recharge, recover and reset. Syracuse ice hockey (5-6, 3-1 Atlantic Hockey America) got a much needed break this past week following its 5-0 shutout defeat to No. 4 Cornell (7-0, 4-0 Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey). After three games in a five-day span, the Orange are at the tail end of their nine day hiatus from the ice. Friday afternoon, SU returns to action starting a two-game series against Lindenwood (2-10, 1-3 AHA). So, now is a perfect time to preview the Lions squad and find out what’s in store for a Syracuse team who’s getting back into conference play.
Lindenwood has had a rough start to the 2025-26 season. However, that’s nothing new for the Lions. Lindenwood hasn’t had a winning record in 15 years. The last successful season for the program came in the 2010-11 campaign when the Lions ended the season 33-3-2 and placed third in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament. This year, Lindenwood has been shutout four times, three of which came against ranked opponents. Out of the 12 games the Lions have played so far, Lindenwood has only scored more than one goal in four of them. Defensively, the Lions have struggled as well. Lindenwood has allowed at least three goals in 10 out of 12 games. Most recently, the Lions were crushed by RIT (6-6, 3-3 AHA) 7-1 Saturday, giving up five scores in the second period. The squad is currently tied with Delaware (1-11, 0-8 AHA) for last in the conference with four goals allowed per contest.
Individually, the forward duo of Zsofia Pazmandi and Tatiana Blichova anchor Lindenwood’s offense. The junior and freshman lead the team with three goals each. Pazmandi is in her second year with Lindenwood after transferring from Plattsburgh State (1-0, 0-0 State University of New York Athletic Conference) prior to the start of last season. Meanwhile, Blichova comes from Presov, Slovakia and found the back of the net twice in a victory against Merrimack (2-7-1, 0-3 Hockey East Association) on Oct. 10, earning her first collegiate goals of her career.
Lions head coach Taylor Wasylk is in her third season with Lindenwood. Before her tenure with the Lions, Wasylk spent five years as the head coach of Suffolk University. The program captured the Commonwealth Coast Conference title and made the NCAA Tournament under her leadership in the 2022-23 season. Wasylk is joined by assistant coaches Connor Chatham and Arielle DeSmet who were both hired during Wasylk’s tenure.
Syracuse and Lindenwood have battled 22 times dating back to 2011 and SU has won 16 of those matchups. However, in recent memory, the Lions have thrived on their home ice against the Orange, winning three of the last five contests that have taken place in Missouri.
Puck drop of the first matchup in the Orange’s two-game series against the Lions is Friday at 5 p.m. from Lindenwood Ice Arena in St. Charles MO. For all coverage of that series and the first-half of Syracuse’s 2025-26 season, follow @JaredValentin_ and @CitrusTVSports on X/Twitter!
