Concordia used three unansered goals to defeat the Gustavus men’s hockey team 3-2 on Saturday night in Blaine, Minn. Aaron Wheeler scored Concordia’s second and third goals to give the Cobbers their first win of the season.
The Gusties finish the MIAC Showcase with a record of 0-1-1, while Concordia imrpoves to 1-0-0 and will play Saint John’s on Sunday in its second Showcase contest.
For the second-straight game, Gustavus opened the scoring with a first period goal. Joey Olson hit the back of the net on the power play at the 10:00 mark on an assist from Gustav Bengtson. Gustavus finished 1-for-7 with nine shots on the power play in the game.
The Cobbers tied the game at 1-1 with an unassisted goal from John Orrico in the fourth minute of the second period. Aaron Wheelter gave the Cobbers a 2-1 lead on the power play on assists from Nick Thielen and Erick Galt at 13:29 of the period.
Wheeler capped the three-goal run with his second goal at the 3:15 mark of the third period. Ben Payne and Caleb Suderman assisted on what turned out to be the game-winning goal.
The Gusties added a late third period goal with an extra attacker on the ice to bring the game to a final at 3-2. Sam Blaisdell scored the goal on assists from Brian White and Ross-Ring Jarvi.
Gustavus outshot the Cobbers 37-to-24 in the game, recording a combined 28 shots in the first and second periods. The Gusties were 49-of-76 on faceoffs, as Brian White was 15-2 and Ryan Johnson was 14-5 on the dots.
John McLean suffered the loss in goal, allowing three goals and making 21 saves. Kelly Andrew allowed two goals and made 35 saves for the win.
Gustavus will travel to De Pere, Wis. to take on St. Norbert in its next contest on Friday, Nov. 4. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.