Wentzville, MO - The first road trip of the season proved to be a good test for the Illini, and one that the passed. Just barely.

The Illini came out of the gate looking sluggish and disconnected and Lindenwood took advantage of it. Just four and a half minutes into the first period, the Lions Corey Spradling picked off an errant pass in the neutral zone, skated into the Illini zone virtually by himself and fired a shot past the Illini's DJ Kohler, putting Lindenwood on the board first. Just minutes later a power play chance for the Illini would allow them to even things back up. Junior Jason Nemeth would skate down the slot, passing over to senior Johnny Liang at the last second who would then fire a one timer from just inside the circle, putting the puck into the back of the Lindenwood net at the 7:34 mark. Also helping set up the power play goal was senior Nick Fabbrini. Even being outshot 15 to 6 in the first period, the Illini were able to kill off Lindenwood's power play chances, including one 5 on 3 advantage.

Just 53 seconds into the second period the Illini break the 1-1 tie, as Johnny Liang would fire a blast from the top of the slot which Jason Nemeth would redirect into the back of the net, senior Drew Heredia also assisting on the play. The early goal seemed to rejuvenate the Illini, allowing them to turn things around and outshoot the Lions 15 to 10. Even with the picked up pace, the early goal would be the only goal in the period, giving the Illini the 2-1 edge going into the second break.

In the third period Lindenwood would tie things back up at 2 goals apiece as Shawn Gawrys would fire a tough angle shot from along the boards that would somehow find its way into the Illini net at the 7:19 mark. With just under two minutes to play in the game, Lindenwood would take the lead as the Lions Steve Balint would fire a shot that the Illini's DJ Kohler would get most of but would end up just trickling over the goal line. Two last minute penalties against Lindenwood would allow the Illini to skate 6 on 3 with Kohler out of net, and with just 2.7 seconds left in regulation, Jason Nemeth would find the puck in front of the Lions net and slip it past LU's Lippert to tie the game at 3-3.

Neither team could convert on power play chances in the five minute over time period, so the game was going to be determined by the five player shootout. Being the visitors, the Illini would go first, sending junior Jordan Pringle to center ice. The Lion's Lippert would turn away Pringle's shot, keeping the Illini off the board. Lindenwood's Ryan Bond would be their first shooter, and he would make good on his turn, putting the Lions ahead 1-0. Johnny Liang would be the Illini's second choice, who Lippert would also reject, preserving the lead. DJ Kohler would steer aside LU's second shooter Larry Kopecky's shot, keeping the Lions just one goal ahead. Joey Resch would tie up the shoot out, sending the puck past Lippert into the back of the net. The Lion's third shooter, McLaughlin would also be rejected by Kohler, the shoot out 1-1. Jason Nemeth would skate for the 4th Illini chance, and slipping the puck under Lippert, Nemeth would give the Illini a 2-1 lead. Both netminders would turn away the remaining shooters, giving the Illini the shoot out win, 2-1.