Three-Goal Hole Is Too Big To Overcome

MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/29/16)—Concordia nearly climbed out of a three-goal hole but wound up giving up a short-handed score midway through the third period and lost 4-3 to Gustavus.

The Cobbers fell behind 3-0 in the second minute of the final frame and then scored three of the next four goals in the game in the one-goal loss.

Concordia loses for the third straight game and is now 9-8-1 overall. The Cobbers drop to 7-4-0 in conference play and are now fifth in the MIAC standings. Gustavus climbs over Concordia in the standings with the win. The Gusties win for the fourth straight game and are now 6-2-3 in the MIAC and 7-7-4 overall.

The Cobbers failed to score in the first two periods of play and watched their scoreless drought climb to 165 minutes. CC was blanked in both games in Minneapolis last weekend. It looked like Concordia might drop its third straight 3-0 decision when Gustavus scored its third goal at 1:08 of the third period.

Of Gustavus' first three goals to start the game, two came on the power play.

Concordia started to get back in the game when sophomore Tori Davis slid the puck into an empty net after a goalmouth scramble left the Gustie goal on the right side of the net. Lindsey Hibbard tried to smother the puck but at the same time a group of player attacked the puck and it slid out front where Davis was waiting. Davis was able to knock the puck into the goal before Hibbard could recover.

Jess Nelson was credited with the assist on Davis' team-leading ninth goal of the year.

The Cobbers got to within one goal at 3-2 when Hannah Johnston fired home a wrist shot from the blue line after CC won a faceoff on the right circle. The puck was dropped back to Johnston in the middle of the ice and her knee-high shot eluded the pile of bodies in front and got behind Hibbard.

The goal at 12:46 was Johnston's second of the year and Amber Schaack was given the assist – the first of her two points on the night.

Gustavus then picked up the game-winning goal when the Cobbers were on the power play. CC went on the PP right after scoring their second goal. Unfortunately it would be the Gusties who would capitalize on a breakaway goal at 13:16.

The Cobbers got back within a single goal 1:28 later when Schaack drove the net and had the puck ricochet off her stick after a centering pass from Davis.

The goal was Schaack's sixth of the year.

Concordia had two more quality chances in the final two minutes of play but couldn't come up with the game-tying goal.

Gustavus outshot Concordia 26-22 but the Cobbers held a 14-13 edge in the final two periods of play. Chelsey Petrich had a team-high four shots.

Andrea Klug made 22 saves in goal for the Cobbers while Hibbard had 19 stops for GAC.

Concordia vs. Gustavus Highlights

THIRD-PERIOD FIRE POWER
The third period has been the most productive for Concordia this season. The Cobbers have scored 19 goals in the final frame which is third highest in the MIAC. It is also five more than any other period for the team.

DAVIS CLIMBS
With her goal and assist on Friday, Tori Davis is now in the top 5 of total points and goals scored in conference play. She is tied for fourth in overall points in MIAC contests with 10. Davis is tied for second in goals scored at seven.

WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will hope to gain a split in the two-game series when they host Gustavus on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cobbers are 2-0 at home on Saturday vs. MIAC teams. The Gusties are 3-2 on Saturdays this season.