Opening 22 Minutes Costs Cobbers Against Cardinals

WINONA, Minn. (2/16/24)---Concordia gave up the first three goals in their series opener at St. Mary's and lost 3-1.

The Cobbers outscored the playoff-bound Cardinals 1-0 in the final 28 minutes of play, but it was the first 22 minutes that cost CC as they fell behind 3-0.

The two teams skated through a scoreless first 16 minutes of play before the Cobbers were whistled for a body check penalty which sent St. Mary's to the power play. The Cardinals wasted little time in taking a 1-0 lead as they opened the scoring only 6 seconds after the PP started.

St. Mary's (18-5-1, 12-4-1 MIAC) doubled their lead 107 seconds later when they scored an even-strength goal at the 17:53 mark.

The Cardinals finished off their trio of opening goals midway through the second frame. They took a 3-0 lead on an even-strength marker at 11:37.

Concordia (5-17-1, 1-15-1 MIAC) outshot St. Mary's 10-9 in the second period as they slowly started to turn the game in their favor.

The Cobbers' lone goal of the game came 13 seconds into the final period of play. Morgan Sauvageau chased down the puck on the sideboards in the SMU end and threw the puck on net. Reagan Wohlers was able to redirect the puck on the net and then Jaclyn Lloyd followed up with the rebound goal to pull CC within two at 2-1.

The goal was Lloyd's fifth of the season and first since Jan. 20. Sauvageau recorded her fifth assist on the play and has 11 total points on the year.

Concordia would come up with nine more shots on goal in the period but couldn't get a second tally to get to within one goal.

The Cobbers were outshot 34-25 in the game. First-year goalie Kate Stephens stopped a career-high 31 shots for CC. Sauvageau posted a team-high four shots on goal.

Concordia was 0-for-3 on the power play in the game, while the Cardinals went 1-for-4.

UP NEXT: The Cobbers will finish off the 2024 season when they face St. Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in Winona.