Another Third-Period Rally Secures Concordia Cup

MEQUON, Wis. (11/02/24)---What's better than one third-period, game-winning rally? That would be two third-period, game-winning rallies.

Concordia used the exact same script from its series opener at Concordia (Wis.) on Saturday and erased a 1-goal deficit heading into the third period to beat the Falcons and come away with the series sweep.

The two wins over Concordia earn the Cobber the Concordia Cup – a traveling trophy between the two teams for the overall winner of the yearly season series.

Not only did Concordia stick to the script of waiting until the final 20 minutes of play to score goals, but they also outshot the Falcons in the first two periods on their way to the win.

The Cobbers held a 24-17 advantage in shots on goal in the first two periods of play but trailed 1-0 after the Falcons netted the game's opening goal midway through the second stanza.

The game changed in the Cobbers' favor in the 12th minute of the final frame when the Falcons were whistled for a holding penalty.

Concordia took advantage of the man advantage when they scored with only 1 second left in the power play. Senior Hanson O'Leary was in the perfect spot to tip-in a shot from the blue line to tie the game at 1-1.

O'Leary's first goal of the year came at 13:11 and was assisted by Cole Lehmann and Hunter Olson.

The game-winning goal came in the final 2 minutes of play. Braden Costello gave the Cobbers the 2-1 lead when he scored at 18:11. Blaise Miller and Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe were credited with the assists on the play.

Concordia head coach Kirk Olimb took a timeout with 1:01 left on the clock to organize the defense and CC would kill off the final 61 seconds without allowing a shot on goal.

The Cobbers finished the game with a 35-19 advantage in shots on goal. CC outshot the Falcons 83-45 for the 2-game series.

Sophomore Dane Couture recorded his second win of the weekend. He made 18 saves in the game and 42 for the two games.

Concordia was 1-for-3 on the power play, while the CC penalty kill unit kept the Falcons scoreless in their two PP opportunities.

The Cobbers will open MIAC play next weekend when they play a 2-game series at Augsburg on Nov. 8-9.