The Lions were happy to host the Michigan Wolverines for a two game set to open the second semester.
The Lions jumped out to an early lead in game 1, as Connor Kaczmarek took the puck in and scored on a nice move. UM would tie it up on the power play with 3 minutes to go in the first, but the Lions would strike once more, with 29 seconds to go in the first, as Will DeLaForest poked home a rebound to give the Lions a 2-1 lead. The second was the Lions period, they scored three goals, two back to back to lead 5-2 after two. Bryson Martin had two goals, and Matisse Hawthorne scored the other. In the third the Lions would again score early as Gabi Rodriguez scored on a beautiful shot from the right circle over the glove of the UM goalie. But from there UM would control play and scored 3 goals, getting them within 1 with 9 minutes to play. The Lions were able to regain some possession time, and with a few big saves from John Profaci, the Lions held on for the 6-5 win.
The Saturday game had a venue change, but the same wild swings. UM would score first, ten minutes into the first. The Lions would even things up, in a back and forth fast paced period, as Matisse Hawthorne scored shorthanded on a great pass from Kurita. UM would take the lead in the 2nd, as the game became more physical, leading 2-1 with 12 minutes to go in the period. But again, the Lions would tie it up, as Adam Nishino found Manzer down the wing, and he walked in on net to score. But UM would score again with a minute to go in the 2nd and took a 2-1 lead into the intermission. The Lions started the third on a 5-3 penalty kill, which the Wolverines scored on immediately. UM controlled play in the third, as the penalties piled up for both teams, scoring 4 goals to take firm control of the game. The Lions, who had 3 third period power plays couldn’t muster a goal until five minutes to play, when Cigarran scored from the top of the circle. The Lions fell to the Wolverines 7-3, and split the weekend with the guests from Michigan.
The Lions are back next weekend as they play Long Beach and Grand Canyon.