LMU scheduled an early trip and knew it would be a great test. Heading to Idaho for the first time in program history, playing three perennial regional teams within 36 hours going to be hard.
The Lions came out with a purpose.
In the first game, the Lions took on Weber St. LMU scored first, and was up after 2 periods. Goals from Billings and Hirai had the Lions up 2-1. At the start of the third Weber scored twice, taking a 3-2 lead late into the game. With the LMU goalie pulled, a puck bounced to the back side of the net and Chris Manzer tied the game with only 6 seconds left. The game headed to overtime, where Austin Billings got his second of the game, snapping home a shot from the top of the circles. The Lions won game one, 4-3.
In game two, the Lions took on tournament hosts Boise St. The Lions would trail early, but would tie the game. In the reverse of night one, the Lions took a lead into the final minutes of the game, when Boise would score with an empty net to tie the game 3-3. Boise would then score just :20 seconds into the OT period, to hand the Lions an OT Loss.
Going from the last game on Saturday to the first game on Sunday, the Lions would face Utah State. Utah got out to an early 2-0 lead. LMU would cut the lead to 2-1 at the end of the first, when freshman Connor Kaczmarek would score. In the second the Lions came out on fire, getting the first 9 shots of the period, and evening the score at 2-2, as Ryan Hirai tucked in a wrap around chance. The third would be back and forth, but Utah State was able to score to take the lead with nine minutes to play. It came down to the final minute again, but the Lions were able to tie it, as Captain Austin Billings stepped up once again. The Overtime period was back and forth, but this game went to a shootout. Jason Footlick would stop all three attempts by Utah St, and Austin Billings scored on the 2nd LMU shot to get the win.
The Lions finished the weekend with a 2-0-1 record. With all three games going to overtime, and all three ending 4-3, it was a strange weekend. The Lions now have a 3-0-1 record, remain unbeaten in regulation, and are making a name for their team this year.