St. Thomas defenseman Charlie Donlin scored the game winning, power-play goal to defeat Concordia-Moorhead 2-1 Saturday night advancing the men’s hockey team to the MIAC finals.
With both teams’ season on the line the Tommies and the Cobbers fought hard all the way through a thrilling third period.
“We kept believing and kept pushing back. I’m proud of the effort of my guys tonight, we had 21 warriors out there,” coach Jeff Boeser said.
The first period was scoreless. With one minute left Concordia forward Zach Doerring received a penalty for tripping that carried over into the second period.
One minute into the second period Concordia received another penalty, this time for holding on defenseman Eddie Eades.
While on powerplay St. Thomas forward Johnny Panvica shot the puck just over the right shoulder of Concordia’s goalie, scoring the first goal of the night.
The Tommies dominated the second period and controlled the puck until aggression from both teams sparked a change in pace.
With seven minutes remaining in the second period Concordia defensemen Blake Berg received a penalty for cross checking. About a minute later Panvica received the exact same penalty.
20 seconds into the third period forward Jeremy Johnson scored Concordia’s single goal, forcing a game deciding third period. This forced both teams to fight to keep their season alive.
Both the Tommies and the Cobbers struggled to find a good scoring opportunity, until
Concordia’s Doerring was called for holding, sending St. Thomas into power-play.
Just as Concordia returned to full strength St. Thomas defensemen Charlie Donlin quickly shot and scored, putting the Tommies back on top.
With one minute remaining in the game St. Thomas forward Jack Christensen received a penalty for roughing. As the puck entered St. Thomas’s zone Concordia pulled its goalie.
St. Thomas played with a four to six man disadvantage, but was able to successfully fight off the Cobbers’ power-play and win the game.
“At the time you don’t think it’s going to be a game winner, but it was nice and I couldn’t of done it without the help of my teammates,” Donlin said.
Forward Thomas Williams said the team played some “good strong fast” hockey.
“I think if we can just control what we can control in the game and play how we know how to play we will put ourselves in a good position for success,” Williams said.
St. Thomas will play Augsburg in the MIAC title game Saturday, March 4th at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Lauren Knisley can be reached at knis1243@stthomas.edu