2-Goal Rally Falls Short In Finale

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/07/19)---Concordia fell behind by two goals, rallied to tie the game but then gave up the game-winning goal in the third period and lost 3-2 to St. Thomas in the series finale.

The Cobbers split their series with the Tommies to finish off the 2019 portion of their schedule. The Cobbers head into the break with a 4-6-1 overall record and a 2-3-1 mark in conference play.

St. Thomas improves to 6-3-1 in all games and 4-2-0 in the MIAC.

Concordia fell behind 1-0 midway through the first period when the Tommies converted at the back end of a 5-on-3 power play. St. Thomas would double the lead with its second power play goal of the day at the 3:11 mark of the second frame.

Concordia started its comeback midway through the second period. Senior Jake Ellingson took the puck inside the left face-off circle and whirled around to control the puck. He then fired an unexpected shot that beat the UST goalie on the ice.

The goal was Ellingson's second in as many games and his third of the season. Alex Stoley and Quinn Fuchs had the assists on the game-tying goal at 10:24.

Senior Aaron Herdt would tie the game at the start of the third period. He was able to settle a rebound, bring the puck to his forehand and fire a shot into the net from just outside the right side of goal.

Like Ellingson, it was Herdt's second goal in as many games. Herdt now has a team-leading five goals on the year and has scored in three straight games and four of the last five.

As with most Herdt goals, junior All-American Tyler Bossert set it up and was credited with one of the two assists. Bossert now has an MIAC-leading nine assists for the year.

Beau Wilmer earned the other assist on the goal at 3:22.  

The 2-2 tie would only last for 87-seconds when St. Thomas scored the game-wnning goal at the 4:49 mark.

The Cobbers had several chances to tie the game in the final stages of regulation. Herdt had a shot in the final seconds but wasn't able to get control of the puck on the left side of the net.

St. Thomas held a slight 36-34 edge in shots on goal. Herdt had a team-high five shots while Jacen Bracko and Alex Stoley had four shots each.

The game featured 15 penalties and 14 power-play chances. The Cobbers went 0-for-7 on the power play while UST was 2-for-7. The weekend series saw 33 penalties whistled for 77 minutes.

Jacob Stephan got the call in goal in both games for CC. He made 33 saves and had his 4-game unbeaten streak come to an end.

UP NEXT: Concordia will have over a month break before returning to action on Jan. 10 when they play at Northland at 7 p.m. The Lumberjacks are currently 2-6 on the year and will play six more games before facing the Cobbers.   

CONCORDIA vs. ST. THOMAS HIGHLIGHTS
 

Saturday recaps sponsored by Bufffalo Wild Wings: Grab your friends and get to B-Dubs on Sunday nights for College Nights at 9 p.m. 50% off 1 food item with ID and $3 apps at the Buffalo Wild Wings located on Hwy 10 in Moorhead.