Return To Modus Operandi Leads To 3-1 Win

Moorhead, Minn. (1/26/13)— Less than 24 hours after giving up seven goals against Gustavus, Concordia returned to their season-long modus operandi, scored three consecutive third-period goals and bettered the Gusties 3-1.

The win halts a three-game losing streak for Concordia. The Cobbers are now 9-11-0 in all games and 6-6-0 in the MIAC. The win gives CC a much-needed two points in conference play and keeps them in the thick of the league playoff chase.

Gustavus loses for the first time in the last four games and falls to 9-7-3 and 3-5-2 in conference play.

Concordia returned to their old "MO" by using good goaltending, a defense that didn't allow quality chances and just enough offense to come away with a win. The Cobbers stonewalled the Gustavus offense for the first 57 minutes of the game. Concordia allowed the Gusties to take shots from the outside which allowed junior goalie Chris Neamonitis the ability to stop the first 33 shots he faced. The Cobber offense awoke in the third period to get a pair of goals in the first seven minutes of play and then added an insurance tally at the 17:32 mark.

Dan Hrabowych got the Cobbers on the board at the 2:00 mark of the final frame when he knocked home an even-strength goal.  Jordie Bancroft and Tucker Coborn were credited with the assists on the play. Adam Wiertzema then gave Concordia a 2-0 lead when he fired home his second goal in as many games at the 6:51 mark. Chris Beede and Joe Becker would get the assists on Wiertzema's third goal of the season.

The game would remain at 2-0 in favor of Concordia until the final three minutes of the third period. The Cobbers would put the game out of reach when Becker scored on the power play at 17:32. It was the first power play goal in five attempts in the game for CC. Brian Kang and Ben Payne set up the final goal of the game for CC.

Gustavus brought the final score to 3-1 when they scored at 18:40.

The Gusties held a 35-27 advantage in shots on goal. Neamonitis finished with 34 saves to pick up his ninth win of the year. Tyler Venne made 24 saves and is now 5-4-3 on the season.

Concordia will have a two-week bye before returning to action on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9 when they host Hamline in a two-game series at the Moorhead Sports Center.