Eastern Magic Ends In Title Game

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (11/26/16)—Concordia's unbeaten eastern streak finally ended in the championship game of the Primelink Shootout Torunament. Concordia was never able to get on the board and lost 3-0 to No.13-ranked Norwich.

Concordia beat Norwich in the championship game in the 2014 PrimeLink tourney but the Cadets were able to gain revenge by scoring a single once in the first and twice in the second period to grab the win.

The loss drops the Cobbers' to the .500 mark at 4-4. Norwich wins for the seventh time in the last eight games and ups its season record to 7-1-1.      

Most of the first period was spent on special teams. The Cobbers were whistled for five penalties in the first 20 minutes of play while Norwich took one penalty.

The Cadets scored the only goal of the first frame on the power play. Concordia was whistled for a holding penalty at 14:03 and less than a minute into the man-advantage Norwich went up 1-0 with a goal at 14:47.

Concordia got their offensive legs going in the second period. CC was given a power play attempt at 4:52 and spent the entire two minutes buzzing the Norwich goal. CC had four quality shots on the man-advantage situation but couldn't come up with the game winner.

The Cobbers would have another power play chance minutes later and would continue to press for the equalizer. Once again they were unable to score and then the Cadets doubled their lead 16-seconds after the CC man advantage ended. Norwich was able to gain control of the puck just over the Concordia blue line. They would head into the zone on a 2-on-1 break and score at 10:36 of the middle period.

Norwich would add an insurance tip-in goal with just over five minutes to play in the second period and CC would be forced to chase the game for the final 25 minutes of play.

Neither team was able to score in the third period. Norwich was content to sit back in the neutral zone and pile up players for the Cobber offense to try and get through.

Norwich finished the game with a 38-19 advantage in shots on goal. Senior defenseman Jordan Krebsbach led the Cobbers with four shots on goal. Jordan Christianson had three shots.

Jacob Stephen made 35 saves in goal for the Cobbers.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TIME: Concordia had two players honored with All-Tournament honors. Freshman goalie Sam Nelson was named the Rookie of the Tournament and senior Jordan Krebsbach was named to the All-Tournament Team.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will return to Minnesota and head back into MIAC play when they travel to Winona to take on St. Mary's on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3. The Cardinals are 5-2-2 on the year. The two teams played in the opening weekend MIAC Showcase with Concordia coming away with a 3-2 in overtime.