February 7, 2025
Breakaway Spree Gives Cobbers Series-Opening Win
Concordia scored three unanswered goals, all on breakaways, and rallied to beat Hamline 3-1 in the series opener. Ben Luedtke, Caden Triggs and Hunter Olson got the goals for CC and Dane Couture lowered his MIAC-leading goals against average.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/7/25)---It took Concordia 11 minutes to shake the rust off after a 2-week layoff but once they found their game legs they scored three unanswered goals and rallied to beat Hamline 3-1 in the series opener.
The Cobbers scored on a trio of breakaway goals to earn three points in the MIAC standings as they continue their drive for the 5-team conference tournament. CC is now unbeaten in its last five league games. With the three points, Concordia passes Hamline in the league standings and moves to 16 points at 5-4-2. The 16 points moved CC into sole possession of sixth place – one point away from a tie for fifth. The win also evens the Cobbers' overall mark at 9-9-2.
The Pipers are now 5-8-0 in the conference and have 15 points. Hamline is 7-15-0 in all games.
Junior Ben Luedtke started the Cobbers' breakaway spree when he netted the team's opener at 11:05 of the opening period – less than 4 minutes after Hamline began the scoring and took a 1-0 lead.
Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe and Zach Stoner set up Luedtke's second goal of the season as Luedtke was able to use his speed to turn the corner on the Hamline defense, break free in the HU zone and then slid the puck through the goalie's legs as he was cutting to his left.
After the teams skated into the first intermission deadlocked at 1-1, Concordia was able to score on two more breakaways in the first 17 minutes of the period.
The eventual game-winning goal came when Caden Triggs distanced himself from the Hamline defense just outside the Piper blueline and used a similar move to Luedtke as he slid the puck between the Hamline netminder's legs as he cut to his left.
Triggs' game-deciding strike came at 8:57 and was his sixth of the season. That ties him for the team lead in nuggets this season. Hunter Bjorge and Tucker Skime were credited with the assists on the play.
The final breakaway strike came at 16:10 and was the result of good luck for Concordia. A Hamline defenseman had his stick snap in two on an attempted shot from the blue line. Instead of the puck sailing towards the net, it barely moved, and Hunter Olson was in the right place at the right time as he was coming out to block the shot. Olson picked up the puck, raced the length of the ice and beat the goalie to the stick side as he attempted to poke-check the puck from Olson's stick.
Concordia never allowed the Pipers to get to within a goal and nearly scored on a fourth breakaway in the third period but Mason Plante got the puck stuck under his skates and couldn't get a clean shot on goal.
The Cobbers also held Hamline board in the final 88 seconds when HU pulled their goalie in favor of the extra attacker.
Concordia was outshot 23-20 in the game with first-year defenseman Jackson Lucia leading the way for CC with three shots on goal.
Dane Couture was perfect in the final 52 minutes and finished the game with 22 saves to pick up his ninth win of the season. He also lowered his goals against average to 2.29 which leads the MIAC.
Concordia will look for the sweep in the series when they host Hamline in the series finale on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Moorhead Sports Center.
CONCORDIA vs. HAMLINE HIGHLIGHTS
CONCORDIA vs. HAMLINE HIGHLIGHTS
