Cobbers Lose 3-2 In Overtime Rollercoaster
Concordia was robbed of a game-winning goal in the first 10-seconds of overtime, gave up a goal 104-seconds later and lost 3-2 to Bethel in the series opener.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (1/20/23)---Concordia took a 2-1 lead over Bethel midway through the third period when Jerica Friese scored on a power play, but then the Cobbers conceded a power play goal in the final five minutes of regulation and one more in the second minute of overtime and lost 3-2.
The loss ends a 1-game win streak for the Cobbers who are now 4-12-0 on the season with a 1-8-0 mark in MIAC play. The Royals move to 3-11-0 overall and a similar 1-8-0 in the MIAC.
The teams traded goals in the first minute, and last 2-minutes of the opening period. Bethel got on the board first when they scored at the 57-second mark of the first frame. It would take Concordia almost 18-minutes to counter. Sophomore Abbey Hardwick was able to tip in a shot from Grace Doerring at the 18:38 mark to level the score heading into the first break. For Hardwick, it was her second goal of the season. Paige Hanson was awarded the second assist on the game-tying goal.
The score would remain deadlocked at 1-1 until the eighth minute of the third period. The Cobbers' go-ahead goal was almost a carbon copy of their first strike. Friese tipped in a shot from the point off the stick of Hanson to give Concordia a 2-1 lead. Reghan Bork made the pass to Hanson to grab the second helper on the play.
Friese's goal at 7:06 came on the power play, and marked the second straight game that CC has scored on the power play.
The goal was Friese's team-leading 10th of the year, while Hanson recorded her team-leading 10th assist.
Bethel would return the power play favor when they tied the game at 15:05. The goal came with only 26-seconds remaining on the Cobbers' penalty for hooking which came at 13:31.
The play of the game came in the first 10-seconds of the extra period when Hardwick was robbed by Bethel goalie Anna Hanson. Concordia gained control of the puck at the start of the 3-on-3 session and immediately Paige Hanson found Hardwick all alone at the top of the BU crease. Hardwick 1-timed the puck which appeared to be headed to the back of the net before Hanson stuck out her leg to make the game-saving stop.
Bethel won the game at the 104-seconds later when they converted a second rebound chance.
The Cobbers held a 37-30 advantage in shots on goal with Hanson leading the way with eight shots on goal.
Kiana Flaig stopped 27 of the 30 shots she faced in goal.
UP NEXT: Concordia will tray and capture a split in the series when they face the Royals in the series finale on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.
CONCORDIA vs. BETHEL HIGHLIGHTS
