Power Play Goals Stay, But Story Line Flips In Series Finale

GENEVA, Ill. (12/31/22)---Concordia scored two more power play goals but it wasn't enough in its series finale at No.10-ranked Aurora. The Cobbers scored a go-ahead goal midway through the second period, but then conceded a pair of unanswered strikes and lost 3-2.

The loss ends a 3-game win streak for Concordia, and marks the first time this season when they have lost after scoring multiple power play goals in a game.

The Cobbers are now 5-5-1 as they enter play in the 2023 calendar year. Aurora has now won four of its last five games and is 10-3-2.

The game was taking the same path as the series opener when CC posted a 4-1 win. Both games were tied at 1-1 heading into the middle of the second frame, and then the Cobbers scored to take a 2-1 lead. The two contests changed directions in a span of 5:16 at the end of the second period and start of the third.

On Friday, Concordia was able to rattle off two more goals in the third to take the 3-goal victory. On Saturday, it was the Spartans who scored two straight to grab the win.

The teams skated through a scoreless first period on Saturday, before Aurora (10-3-2) opened the scoring on Saturday with an even-strength goal in the sixth minute of the first period.        

The Cobbers would grab a 2-1 lead before the game reached the midway point of the period on power play goals from Joe Harguindeguy and Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe. Harguindeguy scored his second goal of the weekend at 6:42 with assists going to Jack Westlund and Mason Plante.

Harguindeguy would then set up the go-ahead goal when he got the assist on Henkemeyer-Howe's team-leading sixth goal of the year. Cole O'Connell was credited with the second assist on the play that put CC up 2-1.

Aurora tied the game with an even-strength goal at 15:34 of the second period, and then got the game winner at the 50-second mark of the final frame.

Concordia outshot the Spartans for the second straight day. CC held a 42-32 advantage in the series finale and outshot Aurora by a combined total of 79-60 for the two games.    

Westlund led all players with a season-high nine shots on goal. Henkemeyer-Howe tied his season high in shots with seven.

Aaron Dickstein made his third straight in goal and stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced.

Concordia went 2-for-7 on the power play and held the Spartans scoreless in their six PP attempts.

The Cobbers have given up six power play chances in each of their last three games, and have not allowed a power play goal during that entire stretch. CC has only allowed two power play goals in the last 27 chances.

UP NEXT: Concordia heads back into MIAC play next weekend when they play at St. Scholastica on Jan. 6-7.