Struggles Around The Net Set Stage For Overtime Tie

MOORHEAD, Minn.  (2/06/15)—Concordia put up 32 shots in the final two periods and overtime against St. Olaf but could only come up with one goal and skated to a 1-1 tie with the Oles. The Cobbers then lost 3-2 in the shootout after 11 shooters and only came away with one league point from the game.

The decisive factor in the game came from special teams and around the net. Concordia scored their only goal on one of their four power play opportunities but conceded the only goal to St. Olaf on of of only two Ole man-advantage situations.

Concordia also had several golden opportunities from in close but the chances went a-begging as CC either missed the net or shot right into St. Olaf goalie Steve Papciak.

The one-point overtime drops Concordia into a tie for second place in the conference standings. The Cobbers now have 22 MIAC points with a 6-4-3 league record. CC is now 11-7-4 in all games. St. Olaf snaps a two-game losing streak and is now 6-13-3 in all games and 4-7-2 in league play.

Concordia started slow for the second straight weekend but, unlike the opener vs. Hamline, went into the locker room tied 0-0. The Cobbers had the better of the chances despite being outshot 10-5. CC had one opportunity at an open net but the shot went just wide.

The Cobbers stepped up the intensity in the second period but couldn't find the net and that allowed the Oles to take a 1-0 lead on their first power play attempt of the night at the 10:03 mark.

Concordia wouldn't be behind for very long as junior Tucker Coborn was able to redirect a shot from on top of the crease to knot the game at 1-1. Coborn's fifth goal of the season came on the power play at the 13:53 mark and was assisted by defenseman Charlie Aus.

The teams would then play through the final 26:07 of regulation and then five minutes of overtime without another goal. Both teams created chances around the net but for the entire back half of regulation the offensive attack always slowed around the goal.

Concordia vs. St. Olaf Highlights - Jan. 6, 2015

The sluggish shooting play continued into the shootout period. The teams went through 11 skaters each and only came away with five combined goals. Most attempts either fizzled at the net or were shot directly at the goalie for an easy stop.

Concordia had the better chances in overtime as they were awarded a power play just 5-seconds into the extra period but couldn't come up with the game winner. CC wound up outshooting the Oles 4-0 in the five-minute overtime period.   

Both team made their third attempt in the regulation shootout portion and then missed their next six before connecting on the ninth try. St. Olaf then won the game when they scored on their 11th shooter in the shootout and then the Cobbers were stopped to give the Oles the extra point.

Concordia outshot St. Olaf 37-34 for the game. Junior Jordie Bancroft led all players with nine shots on goal.

Cobber goalie Jordyn Kaufer stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced and is now 6-3-3 on the year. Kaufer continues to lead the MIAC in goals against in conference games. He now has a 1.76 goals against average in his eight MIAC games.        

The teams will look to provide a winner on Saturday when they finish off their two-game series at 2 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center.