WARRIORS COME UP JUST SHORT AT CONCORDIA

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Warriors were just short of completing a comeback on the road at Concordia on Friday night, falling 6-4. After starting slow in the first period, RCU's offense found its stride in the second and third periods, scoring four goals quickly to threaten the Cardinal lead. The Warriors' Kyles, Kyle Hauer, and Kyle Banks were focal points in the offense, with Hauer scoring two goals while Banks logged a goal and two assists. 

THE RUNDOWN

The Warriors had their work cut out for them early, with the Cardinals jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period behind two goals from forward Joseph Lajcaj. The Warriors were out-shot in the period 28-4, but were able to shake the dust off heading into the second period. After the Cardinals scored a fourth goal, the Warriors began to chip away at the lead with a goal by Hauer off a pass from Griffin Hernalsteen with ten minutes remaining. 

With some strong defense and big saves by goalie Nicolas Spognardi, the Warriors found their second opportunity on a power play with under four minutes to go, when Banks fired a puck into the net after passes from Cole Zalewski and Jake Mullins. Fired up, the Warriors went into the third period swinging, scoring a goal just under a minute into the third period from Hauer. 

Power plays were big in the third period, with the Cardinals building some separation by scoring on a power play with 14 minutes remaining. Just under seven minutes later, the Warriors got their own power play opportunity, with Mullins capitalizing for a huge goal to bring RCU within one. However, the Cardinals escaped with a game-sealing goal with a minute and a half to go, ending the Warriors' comeback bid. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Jaya Forti - Forti's Photos