First 6 & Final 4 Prove Costly in Series Opener In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. (1/06/23)---The first 6-minutes and final 4-minutes proved to be the difference in the Cobbers' series opener at St. Scholastica.

Concordia allowed three goals in that 10-minute stretch, and fell 7-3 in Duluth.

It was a tough start for the Cobbers in their first game in 2023 as they gave up a power play goal at the 5:32 mark of the first frame. The teams would then skate to a 4-3 Saints' advantage over the next 50-minutes before CSS put the game on ice with an empty-net strike at 16:52 of the final period and an even-strength goal just 49-seconds later.

The loss drops the Cobbers record to 5-6-1 in all games and 2-3-0 in the MIAC. St. Scholastica remains unbeaten in conference play. They are now 6-4-2 in all games and 4-0-1 in league play.

Concordia's first goal came on the power play midway through the second period after they trailed 3-0. Freshman Joe Harguindeguy continued his recent scoring streak by netting his sixth goal of the year at 12:24. Mason Plante and Cole O'Connell got the assists on Hargundeguy's third goal in as many games.

After Scholastica pushed the lead to 5-1, another freshman gave the Cobbers a lifeline in the final minute of the middle period. Ben Luedtke finished off a scoring play from Jack Westlund to being CC within three heading into the final 20-minutes of play.

Hanson O'Leary would bring Concordia within two goals at 5-3 in the eighth minute of the third period. He scored his fourth goal of the year at 7:18 on assists from Westlund and senior defenseman Jaret Lalli. For Lalli, it was his team-leading ninth dime of the year.

The Cobbers' comeback trail would end there as CSS posted the final two games of the game to bring the final score line to 7-3.

The Cobbers outshot the Saints 37-26 in the game. Senior Jacen Bracko led all players with nine shots on goal.

Concordia split the goaltending duties in the game. Aaron Dickstein played the first 36:20 and made 10 saves, before giving way to Jackson Nelson who stopped nine shots.        
UP NEXT: The Cobbers will look to come away with the split in the series when they play the Saints in the series finale on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Mars Lakeview Arena in Duluth.