Another One-Goal Tightrope

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/27/18)---It was another one-goal game between Concordia and St. Thomas and unfortunately for the Cobbers they came up on the short side of the scoreboard for the second straight game.

On Friday the game was decided by a pair of goals 34-seconds apart in the third period. On Saturday it was a lone goal in the second half of the final frame that proved to be the difference as Concordia fell 2-1 in the series finale.

The loss drops Concordia in the standings but keeps them inside the playoff picture as they are now fifth in the standings with five teams earning a spot in the conference postseason. The Cobbers have 17 league points and are 5-6-1 in league play. CC is now 8-10-3 in all games.

The teams skated through a close first period with neither team being able to get on the board. Both teams had 12 shots in the opening 20 minutes of play.

St. Thomas (12-6-1/7-2-1 MIAC) opened the scoring with the first of the three even-strength goals in the second minute of the middle period.

They would hold that 1-0 lead all the way into the back half of the middle frame. Once again the period was played in both ends with the Cobbers holding a 12-10 edge in shots on goal.

Concordia was finally rewarded for their offensive push when senior Zach Doerring scored the game-tying goal at 13:40 of the period. Jon Grebosky and Dalton Mills earned the assists on Doerring's 13th goal of the year at the 13:40 mark.

The teams skated to the locker room deadlocked at 1-1 and then went back-and-forth for the first half of the third period until UST got the game winner at 13:10.

Concordia made a push in the final six minutes of play. They were awarded a power play at the 14:01 mark and had three good chances but each time the Tommie goalie came up with a big save. The Cobbers then held offensive zone time for the remainder of the period and peppered the net for four more shots but could never come up with the game-tying goal.

St. Thomas held a slight 40-38 advantage in shots on goal for the game. Joe Burgmeier and Bryan Kronberger both had six shots on goal to lead the Cobbers.

Jacob Stephan got the start in goal for CC for the second straight game in the series and stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced.

Neither team was able to capitalize on their power play chances. Concordia went 0-for-4 while UST was 0-for-3.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will have a two-week break before making the final trek for the playoffs. The Cobbers will return to action when they play at Gustavus on Feb. 9-10. The Gusties are in third place in the MIAC. They have a 7-5-0 conference mark and are 8-10-3 in all games.