Harguindeguy's Double Helps Cobbers Get MIAC Road Win

BLAINE, Minn. (1/20/23)---Freshman Joe Harguindeguy's two goals in the first 9-minutes of the second period helped Concordia overcome a 2-1 deficit and led to a crucial 3-2 conference road win at Bethel.   

The victory against one of the teams currently in the Top 5 of the MIAC, gets the Cobbers within five points of the final playoff spot in the league standings.

Concordia is now 6-9-1 overall and 3-4-0 in the conference. Bethel remains locked at 14 points in the league standings. They are currently 4-4-1 in the MIAC and 9-8-1 in all games.

The Cobbers jumped on the board first when junior Kevin Ness scored his first goal of the season. Ness got CC on the board at the 10:54 mark. The assists on the play were given to Cole Lehmann and Liam Haslam. For Haslam, the helper ties him for the team lead in assists with 10.

Bethel would take a 2-1 lead with a goal on the final six minutes of the opening frame, and the first five of the second period.

Harguindeguy started his 1-man comeback when he tied the game 40-seconds after the Royals opened the 2-1 lead. Bauer Barry was credited with the first of his two assists in the game, and Hanson O'Leary picked up the other helper.

Harguindeguy finished off the score line when he poached the game winner at 8:04. Barry and Mason Plante set up the Cobbers' third goal – and Harguindeguy's team-leading eighth of the season.

Neither team scored on the power play in the relatively clean contest. Concordia was 0-for-1 on the PP while Bethel failed to score on their two chances as only three penalties were called in the game.

The shot totals were nearly even with Bethel holding a slight 29-28 edge.

Matt Fitzgerald, making his third start in goal, and first since Nov. 12, stopped 27 shots to earn his second win of the year.

UP NEXT: Concordia will go for the sweep in the series when the two teams finish the 2-game series on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m.