Defense Stands Out In 1-1 Non-Conference Tie At Hamline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (11/22/22)---After giving up 15 goals in the last three games, the emphasis for Concordia in their non-conference game at Hamline was on defense. Head Coach Kirk Olimb got that just that as the Cobbers only allowed one goal and skated to a 1-1 overtime tie in St. Paul.

The game doesn't count in the league standings, but was a good test for Concordia as they will host the Pipers in a 2-game series the first weekend after the Thanksgiving break.

The Cobbers outshot Hamline in all three periods, put up at least 10 shots in every frame and came away with a decided 36-21 edge in shots on goal. Concordia's highwater mark for shots came in the middle period when they recorded 14 shots and scored their only goal of the game.

The teams skated through the first half of the game without finding the back of the net, but that changed when Nicholas Ness came up with his first goal of the season at the 12:55 mark.

The goal-scoring sequence started when Concordia wasn't able to score on a power play, but then took a faceoff in the Hamline end, and kept it in the Piper zone. The puck came back to defenseman Max Johnson as the right point who had his initial shot block by a sprawled-out Hamline defender. Johnson regained possession of the puck, and fired a wrist shot that the HU goalie was able to stop but not control the rebound. The puck bounced right on to the stick of Ness who slammed home the even strength goal.

For Johnson, it was his first career point for the Cobbers. Bauer Barry picked up his third assist of the year on the play.

The 1-0 lead would stand until late in the third period when Hamline tied the game with an even-strength goal at the 14:56 mark.

The Cobbers had four shots on goal in the final 5-minutes of the game but couldn't come up with the game winner.

Concordia was staked to a power play at 19:00 of the third period, but didn't find a way to get the deciding goal. The man advantage carries into overtime, but never produced a quality scoring opportunity from in close.

The Cobbers had the only two shots on goal in the 5-minute extra period.

Neither team was able to score on the power play in the game. CC went 0-for-4, while Hamline was 0-for-5.     

Senior goalie Jackson Nelson returned to his 2021-22 form by stopping 20 of the 21 shots he faced in the game.   

UP NEXT: Concordia will have a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, and return to action when they host the Pipers on Dec. 2-3.