Matt Cohn had a power-play goal but Iowa State could never fully gain momentum as they drop the first game of the championship rematch series to Lindenwood, 4-2.

“We had one more error than they did, and that was the difference tonight,” said coach Al Murdoch.

The error occurred early in the third period. After the Lions (16-1-0) committed a penalty, Iowa State (11-13-0) lost the opening face off of the power play. Lindenwood surged down the ice down a man and slid the game-winner through the legs of ISU goalie Erik Hudson.  

Murdoch talked earlier in the week about limiting mistakes.  While penalties and turnovers were relatively low, Iowa State did indeed give Lindenwood too many opportunities to score.  Against the No. 1 team in the country, wins are hard to come by when that happens.

“We know that’s a good team over there,” said senior Cort Bulloch.  “Guys didn’t quit, and I haven’t seen that in the past.  We just ran out of time at the end.”

The first period ended scoreless.  Iowa State proved early that they were not going to let Lindenwood show off their prowess.  Scoring chances were even for both teams for most of the game, keeping the partisan crowd on the edge of their seats for as long as possible.

“In the first period we opened our eyes and just played our game,” Bulloch said.  “We were controlling the game and it gave us some confidence.”

The two teams exchanged goals within 26 seconds of each other.  Lindenwood scored first, then Iowa State quickly entered the offensive zone, where Justin Wilkinson received a pass and beat the star Lion goaltender left side for the equalizer.  

Lindenwood would pull ahead midway through the second, when after a Lion power play expired, the Cyclones couldn’t clear the zone, and eventually the aggressive forecheck led to a rebound goal past a prone Hudson.  

“That’s a good defensive team that transitions well,” Murdoch said.  “They take advantage of errors very well.”

The Cyclones tied the game early in the third on the power play. Cohn was left wide open to the right of Lion goaltender Robi Cavallari. Once Cohn received a pass from the point, he fired the puck past Cavallari right side to tie the score once again.  

Once again, Lindenwood responded quickly, scoring their shorthanded and game-winning goal.

Lindenwood added an empty-netter late in the third.

The nation’s top team played at a high level, but the outcome of the game was up for grabs. The Lions controlled the pace of play for most of the second and third period.

“They came to play tonight,” Bulloch said. “Some of the old guys still have that bitter taste from losing last year in the championship.  We just have to penetrate their house better, clog up the lanes and get shots through.”

Iowa State will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow night at 8 p.m. at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.