Different Year, Same Result
ST. PAUL, Minn. (11/05/11)—Brian Kang scored a pair of goals and goalie Chris Neamonitis stopped 27 shots as Concordia beat St. Thomas 2-1 in a non-conference game in St. Paul on Saturday. The victory gives the Cobbers a split on their non-conference weekend and improves their overall record to 3-1.
The game was a tight, hard checking affair in a rematch of teams that squared off in the semifinals of last year's MIAC playoff tournament.
The teams skated through a scoreless first period with the Tommies holding a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal. Concordia was unable to capitalize on their two power play chances in the period.
It took less than five minutes to break the scoreless tie as Kang connected on his first goal of the season on CC's first power play attempt of the middle frame. Dan Hrabowych and Ben Payne were credited with the assists on the score at 4:49. For Hrabowych it would be the first of his two assists in the game.
St. Thomas (1-1-1) tied the game late in the second period on a goal at the 17:16 mark.
Kang then struck for the game-winner in the first 20 minutes of the third period. This time it was an even-strength goal with Hrabowych and defenseman Caleb Suderman picking up the assists.
From there it would be Neamonitis and the Cobber defense that take control of the game and limit St. Thomas to just six shots in the final 13:00 of play.
The Cobber penalty kill unit did not allow a goal in the game as they held the Tommies scoreless in their four power play attempts. CC was 1-for-6 in their man-advantage situations.
St. Thomas had a 28-23 advantage in shots on goal for the game. Neamonitis earned his second of the year with his 27 saves while UST goalie Tyrone Simcoe stopped 21 shots in the losing effort.
Concordia will open up the conference season next weekend when they play at St. Olaf on Friday and Saturday.