The Lions opened their 24/25 season by hosting a strong University of Texas Longhorns team that made ACHA Regionals last year, and returned their top players. The rink was buzzing with a strong student turn out, and the Lions were debuting the new red jerseys.
After a great National Anthem performance from Britley Redmond, the first game of either teams season got off a little hesitant, with neither looking to make a mistake. The Lions got on the board first, as sophomore Jake McMillan fired the puck home on a pass from Jeff Lee. Texas would tie the score soon after, and then the Lions got into penalty trouble. A penalty shot called for a hooking penalty, gave Texas a chance at the lead, which they capitalized on, and Texas led 2-1 at the first intermission.
In the 2nd, the Lions shook off the nerves and dominated play, leading to scoring chances all period. DeLaForest put home a puck in the slot to tie the game early in the 2nd. Freshman Zephyr Tangri gave the Lions the lead on a screen point shot after a long offensive zone possession, scoring his first as a Lion. Jeff Lee scored on a back door tip, and Connor Kaczmarek fired home a wrist shot to give the Lions four goals in the second period. The Lions gave up a power play goal to Texas, but lead 5-2 after two periods.
In the third, the Lions continued to rack up penalties, and gave Texas multiple power play chances. Texas scored on the power play with 7 minutes to go, bringing the game to 5-3. Jeff Lee picked up his second of the night shortly after, on a great shot from a bad angle. Texas finished the scoring in the final 2 minutes, on another power play goal, their third of the night.
Henry Lissner played strong, even facing 8 power play chances for Texas on the night. He stopped 17 of 21, and provided steady presence in net, starting his final season for the Lions.