ºüÀêÊÓƵ

The Wolverines swept the Lions, who were in their first season transitioning from a club program, but it didn’t come easily.

When Lindenwood’s coaching job opened this year, Muckalt threw his name in.

He now is making the transition from an established college power to a little-known university and delivered big to start the season when Lindenwood split two games over the weekend at Wisconsin, which was ranked No. 9 in the preseason.

The Lions won 4-2 and lost 3-2 in overtime in a game that saw them score the first two goals.

“The focus is to move the needle and build credibility,� Muckalt said. “On Friday night, my phone was blowing up. It was a good feeling. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself, but it sent some shockwaves around college hockey.�

When Muckalt took the job, there were 10 Lindenwood players in the transfer portal. He added nine transfers and nine freshmen to the roster.

He also decided to take on a schedule that would be challenging for most programs. Lindenwood will play its first 10 games on the road, finishing that stretch with two at No. 1 Denver. The Lions play twice at No. 4 Michigan State, twice at No. 12 Nebraska-Omaha and twice at No. 18 Notre Dame. Their first two home games are against Ohio State.

The Lions are in their third season in the transition to Division I competition, thus are not eligible for postseason play. But Muckalt is able to sell recruits on the strength of competition they will face on a regular basis.

“It’s an opportunity to get noticed with an NHL (coach or GM) in the building every night,� he said. “We’re practicing in front of an NHL team and sharing a facility with them. You’ll get noticed and seen for sure. If you look at our strength of schedule, I’ll put it up against anyone in the country.�

Muckalt spent six years at Michigan, handling recruiting and the team’s defense. In his final season in 2022-23, the Wolverines won the Big Ten championship and reached the NCAA Frozen Four.

He also played for Michigan and followed with a five-year career in the NHL. Muckalt finished with 40 goals and 57 assists, playing for four teams before retiring in 2004.

Lindenwood is not affiliated with a conference and plays an independent schedule. Muckalt said work is being done to determine options available for affiliation in the future.

Lindenwood warmed up for the season against UNLV, which was the runner-up for the college club hockey championship in 2023-24. The Lions won both games.

Forward Jaeden Mercier, a holdover from last season’s team, scored twice in the upset of Wisconsin. Goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz made 34 saves before stopping 42 shots the next night.

Bartoszkiewicz was one of several key additions made by Muckalt, who also counts forward Kristof Papp, who transferred from Northern Michigan, and defenseman Artyom Borshyov (Lake Superior State) as major additions.

“I was surprised because we were late to the party,� Muckalt said of recruiting. “We were opportunistic in securing some players — some big pieces for us.�

Lindenwood played tough schedules before this season but never broke through. The Lions were 0-19-3 against ranked opponents in 2022-23 and 23-24.

Considering what lies ahead for the Lions, no one is gloating too much about the impressive start.

“I was really happy for the guys to be able to enjoy that moment,� Muckalt said. “No question, it was a statement win for our program. Then the next morning, it was about validating and not being satisfied.�