Comeback Trail Ends In Overtime

ST. PAUL, Minn. (12/02/22)---Concordia had their comeback hopes grounded in overtime as they overcame a 3-1 deficit at Hamline only to fall 4-3 in the extra period.

The Cobbers trailed by two goals for most of the second period, but then tied the game with consecutive goals at the end of the middle frame and midway through the final period to force the game into overtime.

The loss drops Concordia's overall record to 3-5-0 on the year. CC is 0-5-0 in the MIAC. Hamline wins for the fourth time in the last six games and is now 5-4-0 in all games and 4-1-0 in league play.

The teams skated through a scoreless first period thanks to the goaltending of Cobber junior Becca Macklin. Concordia was outshot 17-2 in the first 20 minutes of play, but Macklin wasn't to be beaten and stopped all 17 shots she faced.

The Pipers were finally able to crack the Macklin wall when they got on the board in the second minute of play in the second period. They would add a second goal at the 6:08 mark to grab a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Morgan Sauvageau scored the first of her two goals at 7:37 to bring CC within one at 2-1. Reghan Bork got the assist on Sauvageau's fourth goal of the year.

Hamline regained the 2-goal cushion midway through the second period, but then Sauvageau started the Cobbers' comeback trail. She netted her second of the game at 14:50 to get CC within a single goal for the second time in the period. Bork earned her second helper of the game, and Lexi Woodward was awarded the second assist on the play.

The game would remain at 3-2 until the 12:47 mark of the third period when Jerica Friese scored her team-leading seventh goal of the year. Kaylie Zimmerman recorded the assist on the game-tying goal.

Concordia had a chance to post the game-winning goal when they were staked to a power play with 4:13 left in regulation. CC was able to get a pair of quality chances but were stopped by the Hamline goalie each time.

The overtime period belonged to the Pipers. Macklin was forced to make four saves in the first minute of play before Hamline scored the game winner at 1:38.

Concordia outshot the Pipers 24-19 in the final 45 minutes of play, but the opening period helped Hamline hold a 36-26 advantage for the game.

Neither team was able to score on the power play. The Cobbers were 0-for-5 on the power play, while HU went 0-for-2.

Macklin finished the game with 32 saves. It was her third 30-plus save game of the season.

UP NEXT: Concordia will go for the split when they play at Hamline on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the TRIA Rink in St. Paul.