Offensive Thriller Turns In Final 5 Seconds

MOORHEAD, Minn. (01/08/22)---If Concordia's first game of 2022 is any indication of the style of play for the rest of the season, Cobber hockey fans are in for an exciting finish to the season.

Concordia and WIAC-leading Wis.-Superior battled through almost 65 minutes of high-octane offensive hockey in a game that was decided in the final five seconds of overtime.

The Cobbers scored first, the rallied twice to tie the game at 2-2 and 3-3 to force overtime. CC then held possession of the puck in the Superior end for most of the extra period before the Yellowjackets netted the game winner with only five ticks left on the clock to win 4-3.

The teams combined for 74 shots on goal in the 64:55 of play. The Cobbers held a 5-3 edge in OT and a 39-35 advantage for the entire game.

The loss evens the Cobbers' overall record at 5-5-2. Superior has only lost once in the past six games and is now 8-4-2 on the year.

Senior Tyler Bossert opened the scoring in 2022 when he netted a rare goal at 7:04 of the first period. Bossert's third goal of the year came off a faceoff with Cole O'Connell and Mason Plante receiving the assists. The helper would be the first of Plante's three points for the day.

Superior tied the game on the power play at 18:20 of the first period and took a 2-1 lead at 5:36 of the second frame.

The 1-goal lead would last only 22 seconds as the trio of Bossert, Plante and O'Connell struck a second time.

O'Connell controlled the puck behind the Yellowjackets' goal then slide the puck to the bottom of the right faceoff circle where Bossert was left unattended. Using his exceptional ice vision, Bossert 1-time a pass across the goal where Plante tapped home the puck from the left side of the crease.

Superior would retake the lead midway through the second period, and then Plante and Bossert had another answer at 16:27.

The third goal was almost a carbon copy of the second as Bossert fired a pass from the right sidewall that found Plante all alone on the left side of the net. Plante once again 1-timed home the puck to tie the game.

The teams would skate through a scoreless third period with each team have quality scoring chances.

The 3-on-3 overtime session would continue the theme of good opportunities to score a game winner. Concordia had a breakaway and several in-close chances turned aside before Superior netted the winner on a 2-on-1 break.

The two assists for Bossert bring his season total to 15 which is five more than any other player in the MIAC. His total is also tied for the most in all of Division III.

Plante has now scored four goals in the teams last four games after not scoring in the first eight games of the year.

Freshman Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe led all players with six shots on goal.

Matt Fitzgerald started in goal for the Cobbers and played the first period – stopping nine of th10 shots he faced. He left the game with an apparent injury and was replaced by Aaron Dickstein who played the final 44:55. Dickstein made 22 saves.             
 
UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off their opening weekend of 2022 when they host Northland on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. The Lumberjacks are 2-8-2 on the year.