A Shorty Game Winner In The Season Opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Finlandia (0-3-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Concordia-M'head (1-0-0) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/05/21)---Maiah McCowan's shorthanded goal with 1:48 left in the third period broke a 0-0 deadlock and proved to be the game winner in the Cobbers' 1-0 win over Finlandia in the 2021-22 season opener.
The Cobbers and Lions battled through 57:54 of scoreless hockey when Concordia was whistled for an interference call late in the third period. CC was able to get the puck out of their defensive zone and fire it into Finlandia's end. Libby Hinrichs rushed to pressure the puck behind the net and was rewarded with a turnover. Hinrichs took control of the puck behind the net and slid a perfect pass to a wide open McCowan who was standing between the faceoff circles. McCowan calmly settled the puck and then fired a wrist shot the beat the Lions' goalie to the glove side.
The goal was McCowan's 10th career tally and third game-winning goal. She has now had one game winner in each of the last three seasons.
The game-winning goal capped off a pair of periods that saw Concordia dominate in offensive zone time. The Cobbers had multiple point-blank opportunities but were shut down by the stellar play of Lions' goalie Kayla Savoie-Penton.
Neither team was able to break through and create a lot of chances on the power play. Concordia was 0-for-3 with the extra skater and Finlandia went 0-for-4. The best power play chance by either team came in the second period when the Lions were staked to a 5-on-3 advantage, but the Cobbers were able to kill off both penalties without giving up any quality chances.
Concordia goalie Kiana Flaig started her junior season in top-flight fashion. She stopped all 18 shots she faced to record the third shutout of her career. It was also her ninth win as the goalie of record.
The Cobbers outshot the Lions 29-18 for the three periods. Seniors Jordie Egerdahl and Paige Jensen both had four shots each to lead the CC offense.
UP NEXT: The Cobbers and Lions will finish off their 2-game series on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. on the north rink of the Moorhead Sports Center.