Down But Not Out In Playoff Quest

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/10/24)---Concordia is down but not out in its quest for its 11th consecutive MIAC playoff appearance.

The Cobbers rallied to take the lead in the third period of the series finale in St. Peter but then gave up a goal in the final 5 minutes of regulation and one more with 56 seconds left in overtime and lost 5-4.

The one point for an overtime loss in the league standings keeps Concordia within striking distance of the Top 5 spots for the MIAC postseason. CC has 18 points in conference play with a 5-7-2 mark. That total is good for seventh place in the standings – only two points out of the Top 5 with two games left in the regular season.

It was a game of answers for the Cobbers against the Gusties on Saturday. Gustavus took a trio of 1-goal leads in the first two periods of play and each time Concordia had the answer.

Gustavus (10-11-2, 5-8-1 MIAC) opened the scoring with a strike at 2:50 of the first period. Cobber junior Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe came up with the first answer when he scored on the power play at 6:54. Bauer Barry and Cole O'Connell were credited with the assists on Henkemeyer-Howe's team-leading 11th goal of the year.

The Gusties asked their second question when they netted their second goal at 12:54 of the opener. It would take CC until the seventh minute of the second frame to research the answer. Hanson O'Leary found the response with an even-strength goal at 6:58. Hunter Olson was given the assist.

It took GAC 2:03 to come up with their third question of the game. They posted a 3-2 lead at the 9:01 mark and once again went into the break with a 1-goal lead.

The Cobbers were tired of answering the Gustie's questions and turned the tables in the third period. Ben Luedtke tied the game when he fought his way to a shorthanded goal at 7:23. Braden Costello gave CC its first lead of the game when he scored at 12:12. The goal was Costello's second in three games and was assisted by Tal Halliday and Cole Lehmann.

Unfortunately for Concordia, Gustavus was able to find the answer key in the final 5 minutes of play. They came up with the game-tying goal with 4:56 left in regulation.

The game would stay knotted at 4-4 through the end of the third period and the first 4 minutes of the extra session.

The Gusties earned the extra point in the standings with 56 seconds left in OT when they finished off a 2-on-1 rush after the Cobbers were stopped on a breakaway attempt.

Concordia held a 25-24 edge in shots on goal for the four periods of play. They also had a 51-45 advantage in the series.

Freshman goalie Dane Couture made 19 saves in the second game of the series.

The game was a clean affair with each team being whistled for only three penalties. CC went 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Cobber penalty kill unit held Gustavus scoreless in their two extra-skater opportunities.         
              
UP NEXT: The regular season comes down to a 2-game sprint to the finish when the Cobbers host St. Mary's in a 2-game series on Feb. 16-17. The Cardinals are in sixth place in the MIAC standings with 19 points – one ahead of the Cobbers.