Cobbers Can't Cover 2-Goal Lead

BLAINE, Minn. (11/18/17)---The old cliché states that "the two-goal lead is the most dangerous in hockey." Concordia proved that adage to be true as they watched their two-goal lead evaporate in the final two periods as they lost 3-2 at Bethel.

The Cobbers scored the opening two goals of the game but then watched as the Royals scored three straight in the second and third frames and came away with the 3-2 victory.

The loss is the first conference defeat for Concordia this season who falls to 3-2-1 in all games and 2-1-2 in the MIAC. Bethel ups its record to 3-4-1 in all games and 1-2-1 in league play.

Penalties and power plays were the order of business in the series finale. The teams combined for 14 penalties and 13 power play opportunities. It was especially the case in the third period where Concordia was held scoreless in four power play chances while the Royals were 0-for-3.

The Cobbers scored only once in their seven power play chances for the game and Bethel went 0-for-6 in their man-advantage situations.

One of the bright spots of the weekend for Concordia was the continued solid play from freshman Callie Fagerstrom. On Friday she assisted on two of the team's three goals and on Saturday she netted the opening goal of the game at 2:44 of the opening period. Sage Barta added the helper on the score.

The Cobbers would double its lead before the midway point of the first frame. Tori Davis connected on the only power play goal of the game to give CC a 2-0 lead at the 9:46 mark. Megan Mohr and Emily Goff had the assists on the goal.       

Concordia had eight shots in the first period but would have only 10 more in the final 40 minutes of play. The Cobbers had five power plays in the final two periods and only had two shots on net during those five chances.

Bethel tied the game with two tallies of their own in the second period. They got to within one goal at the 5:25 mark and then tied the game in the final minute of play at 19:12.

The Royals won the game in the final five minutes of play with a goal at 15:10.

Concordia was outshot 36-18 in the game. Davis had a team-leading five shots on goal while Mohr and Amanda Flemming had three shots each.

Cobber sophomore goalie Amy Jost stopped 33 shots in her third game for the Cobbers.

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN FAGERSTROM: Cobber first-year defenseman Callie Fagerstrom has a team-leading three assists this season and is second on the team in overall points with six. She has scored at least one point in four straight games and has only been held off the shore sheet in one game.

PENALTY KILL SUCCESS: Concordia held Bethel scoreless in their six power play chances on Saturday and has only allowed two power play goals all season. The CC penalty killers have a 90.5 success rate which is second in the MIAC.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Cobbers will have one non-conference game before the Thanksgiving break. Concordia will head to Wisconsin to take on Wis.-Eau Claire on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.