Another First Intermission Mistep

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/14/15)—Concordia fell behind 4-1 at the start of the second period and could never recover as they lost 6-3 to No.7-ranked Wis.-Eau Claire.

It marked the second straight loss to a nationally ranked WIAC opponent. In both games it was the stretch around the first intermission that proved to be the difference maker. On Friday the Cobbers allowed three goals in a 10-minute span at the end of the first period and start of the second stanza. On Saturday Concordia trailed 2-1 before giving up a goal at the 16:48 mark of the first and then another in the second minute of the middle period.

The loss drops the Cobbers overall record to an even 3-3-0. The Blugolds remain unbeaten on the season and improve to 4-0-2.

Eau Claire netted the first two goals of the game in the first 12 minutes of the opening period. The national anthem had just finished playing when the Blugolds picked up a 1-0 lead. Their first goal came 38-seconds into the game and then they added a second at 11:49.

Concordia picked up its first goal of the weekend less than one minute later when junior Garrett Hendrickson recorded his first goal of the year. Jordie Bancroft picked up the assist on the score at 12:33.

That's when the first intermission curse took over. The next time the Cobbers looked up at the scoreboard they trailed 4-1 with only 1:08 gone in the second period.

Concordia would score the next two goals to get to within one at 4-3 but then Eau Claire would seize the momentum by scoring 370second before the end of the second period.

Jon Grebosky and Matt O'Dea posted the goals in the second to give CC new life. Hendrickson and freshman Mario Bianchi were credited with the assists on O'Dea's tally. Grebosky's goal was his team-leading third of the season.  

Eau Claire finished off the scoring at the 16:30 mark of the final period.

The Cobbers once again gave up a pair of power play goals. The Blugolds were 2-for-5 on the man advantage. CC has allowed two power play nuggets for the third straight game. Concordia was also held scoreless on the PP for the third straight game.

Cobber goalie Alex Reichle made 29 saves in his sixth straight start of the season.

Concordia was outshot 35-28 for the game. Jake Zeleznikar had a team-high five shots while Bancroft and Zach Doerring added four shots each.

WHAT'S NEXT:  Concordia will have an extended break because of the bye weekend in their conference schedule. CC will return to action on Dec. 4 and 5 when they host St. Mary's in a rematch of last year's  MIAC semifinal game for a two-game series at the Moorhead Sports Center.