Slow Series Start In St. Peter

ST. PETER, Minn. (1/27/17)--- It wasn't the start to the two-game series at perennial MIAC power Gustavus that the Cobbers were looking for. Concordia allowed a goal in the final minute of the first period and then two more in each of the second and third frames and lost 5-0 to the Gusties.

The loss is the second straight for Concordia and second straight game where they have allowed five goals. The Cobbers are now 11-6-1 overall and 8-3-0 in conference play and in a three-way tie for third place in the league standings. The Gusties join the Cobbers at 16 MIAC points as they are now 7-2-2 vs. conference opponents and 11-5-2 in all games.

Concordia could never get their offense on track in a game that was played without any penalties. The Cobbers were whistled for a single penalty in the second and one in the third while Gustavus did not head to the penalty box the entire game.

The game was tied 0-0 until the 19:29 mark of the first period when Gustavus notched the game winning goal.

It would stay at 1-0 until the eighth minute of the second stanza after CC was called for the first penalty of the game. The Cobbers were sent to the box at the 7:20 mark and then Gustavus took advantage by scoring just 30-seconds into the ensuing power play.

The Gusties added a third goal midway through the second period, one more midway through the third and finished off the scoring with their fifth tally at 18:40 of the final period.

Gustavus outshot Concordia 44-19 for the game with Concordia posting a game-high total of nine shots in the third period.

Sophomore forward Megan Dondelinger led the Cobbers with four shots on goal while seniors Chelsey Petrich and Amber Schaack each added three.

Senior goalie Andrea Klug stopped 18 of the 19 shots she faced in the first period and finished with 39 saves in the game.

SHUTOUT STUFF: The shutout at Gustavus marked only the second time all season that Concordia has been held without a goal. CC was blanked by Marian 1-0 in the final game of November but then went on a three-game win streak where they shutout all three opponents.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will try and gain a split in the series when they square off against Gustavus on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. in St. Peter. The Cobbers lost the opener last year as well and then bounced back to grab the series finale 6-5 in Moorhead.