The No. 2-seeded Indiana Tech men's ice hockey team defeated No. 3-seeded Lindenwood-Belleville, 6-3, on Friday afternoon in the semifinals of the NAIA National Tournament, hosted by the NAIA Hockey Coaches Association, at OhioHealth Chiller Dublin.
 
"We were able to find out legs halfway through the second period and execute the forecheck properly," head coach Frank DiCristofaro said. "We also buried on our chances and (John) Slavik made some key saves at the right time."
 
The Lynx, who Tech had defeated in its four previous matchups this season, got out to a quick start as they took a 3-1 lead over the Warriors after 20 minutes of play.

"We came out barnstorming, but that was kind of a microcosm of our season this year," said head coach Lindsay Middlebrook. "We started strong, but we faded. The guys gave me all the effort that they had but we were a little short in numbers. We have always been a four-line team and been fresh, but with only three lines Indiana Tech played at a level we couldn't keep. We got a bunch of freshman for next year ready to go and we're already looking forward."

Lindenwood-Belleville got on board first when Cam Seto scored on an assist from Daniel Skoglund at the 10:48 mark while on the power play. Lindenwood-Belleville then doubled its lead to 2-0 at 12:56 when Nick Varner scored off an assist from Seto, but at 13:42 Indiana Tech broke up the shutout on a Mike Tish goal. The Lynx then closed out the first period scoring at the 18:49 mark when Billy Denis notched his first of the tournament off a helper from Duane Wainman.

The Orange and Black cut the deficit to 3-2 after two periods following a goal from Wyatt Stotts, but then found its offense in the final period of regulation.
 
Jarrett Pfeiffer got things started with 86 seconds into the period with a goal to knot the game up at 3-3 before Jace Childs second 24 seconds later to make it a 4-3 game. A power play goal from Alex Gregorich put the Warriors up 5-3 with five and a half minutes gone in the period while Mike Tish scored an empty-netter to cap the scoring and give Tech the 6-3 win and a berth in the championship game of the inaugural tournament.
 
John Slavik came on in relief to pick up the win, making 21 shots in 40 minutes of action.
 
Tech (22-9-2) will face off with No. 1-seeded Aquinas in the championship game of the NAIA National Tournament on Saturday at 5 p.m. from OhioHealth Chiller Dublin.