Power Play Prowess

ST. PAUL, Minn. (11/20/16)--- Concordia used its defense and nationally ranked power play to beat St. Catherine 2-1 in the series finale on Sunday.

The Cobbers scored the first two goals of the game to gain the split in the series and move to 4-1-1 on the season. CC is now 3-1-0 in the MIAC and tied atop the conference standings. The Wildcats drop to 2-5-0 in all games and 1-3-0 in league play.

Concordia entered the game with the third ranked power play unit in Division III and the special teams unit stuck early in the first period. Staked to the man-advantage at the 38-second mark of the first period, the Cobbers scored 1:43 into the power play when sophomore Abbie Canton connected on her first goal in maroon and gold. Canton, who transferred to Concordia this year, scored at the 2:21 mark with an assist from Jess Nelson.

The Cobbers held a 16-10 advantage in shots on goal in the offensive-minded first period.

Senior Ellen Rethwisch doubled Concordia's lead late in the second period. She connected on her fourth goal of the season at 17:45 to give CC the 2-0 lead. Amber Schaack was credited with the assist on the play.

Concordia was able to take a 2-0 lead into the second intermission as senior goalie Andrea Klug stopped all 18 shots she faced in the first 40 minutes of play. The Cobbers also killed off both St. Catherine power play attempts in the first two periods.

Klug would carry the shutout into the final six minutes of the third period. Concordia failed to score on a power play chance in the first three minutes of the final frame and then tightened up defensively to secure the win.

The Wildcats' goal came at 14:22 after Concordia was whistled for an interference call at 13:55.

The Cobbers would have four shots in the next 3:30 of play but then played the final two minutes of the game in their defensive end. Klug came up with a big stop in the final minute of play to secure the victory.

Concordia outshot St. Catherine 35-26 in the game. CC senor Jess Nelson led all players with five shots on goal. Freshman Ashley Wiitala tied her season high with four shots.

Klug stopped 25 of the 26 shots she faced to record her fourth win of the season and 31st of her career.

ONE STREAK ENDS, ONE STREAK CONTINUES: Jess Nelson had her five-game scoring streak come to an end. She had scored at least one goal in each of the Cobbers' first five games of the year. Fellow senior Ellen Rethwisch extended her scoring streak to three games. After being held scoreless in the first three games of the year, Rethwisch now has four goals in the last three.

 A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE: Concordia went 2-for-4 on the power play over the weekend against St. Catherine. The Cobbers have now put up at least one power play goal in five straight games and are 8-for-17 (47.0%) in their four MIAC games. Overall they have a 32.1-percent success rate on the man-advantage which is second in Division III and third best in all divisions of NCAA women's hockey.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will travel to Wisconsin after the Thanksgiving break to take on Marian in a two-game series on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27. The Sabres are 2-3 on the year and lost 4-3 to MIAC opponent St. Mary's in the season opener.