Four Straight Spoils Opening Weekend

BLAINE, Minn. (10/28/17)--- Concordia scored the first goal of its second game in the MIAC Showcase but then gave up four unanswered goals and lost 4-1 to defending MIAC playoff champion Augsburg.

For the second straight game Concordia and its opponent skated through a scoreless first period before the game opened up in the second frame.         

The first 20 minutes of play went back-and-forth with the Auggies holding an 11-10 edge in shots on goal.

The Cobbers took a 1-0 lead at the start of the second period when the first line trio of Zach Doerring, Jon Grebosky and Mario Bianchi scored their second goal in as many games on the power play.

Doerring was once again the recipient of work by Grebosky and Bianchi who helped get the puck to the senior captain who sniped his second goal of the year. Doerring's second power play nugget of the year at the 6:32 mark staked the Cobbers to a 1-0 lead.

The one-goal advantage would last less than three minutes as Augsburg started their four-goal scoring spree at 9:26.

Augsburg would then tack on two more goal in the seven minutes to grab a 3-1 lead at the second break. The Auggies outshot the Cobbers 16-11 in the second period.

The third period went in favor of Augsburg as they had the lone goal and outshot CC 18-3. The Auggies capped off the scoring in the second minute of play when they finished off a breakaway attempt.

Augsburg held a 45-24 advantage in shots on goal for the game. The Cobbers were whistled for six penalties as opposed to three for the Auggies. Concordia went 1-for-3 on the power play and held Augsburg scoreless in their six man-advantage situations.     

The top line of Doerring, Grebosky and Bianchi combined for 11 of the team's 24 shots. Bianchi had a team-high four shots while Doerring and Grebosky added three shots each.

Concordia all-conference goalie Sam Nelson made 41 saves in his season debut.

SPECIAL TEAMS STUFF: Concordia was in midseason form on their special teams over the weekend. The Cobber penalty kill unit held Concordia's two opponents scoreless in nine PP attempts. On the offensive side, Concordia scored two power play goals in six extra man situations.         

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will have a rare one-game weekend next weekend. The Cobbers will play at Wis.-Stout on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.  The Blue Devils are 1-0-1 on the year after beating Trine (Ind.) and tying Aurora (Ill.).