Freshman forward Josh Giacomin scored his fifth goal of the season but the Foresters fell 2-1 in overtime Saturday night to visiting Concordia University Wisconsin.
Concordia Wisconsin scored the only goal of the first period, which came on the power play at 13:46. The Foresters had two power play chances but could not capitalize on either. Both team put nine shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes and the visitors went into the locker room at the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
The Foresters' 2019 Peter Taylor Award was presented to senior goaltender Louis-Philippe De Courcy at the conclusion of the first period.
The second frame was filled with penalties as the Falcons took five infractions and the Foresters four. At the 13:36 mark Giacomin collected a feed from the left circle and slid it by the goaltender, tying the game 1-1. Junior forward Austin Aksoy and senior forward Bron Loiselle assisted on the play, extending the latter's point streak to six games. Lake Forest had three power play chances in the middle frame but once again could not convert. With the score tied 1-1 after the second the Foresters held a slight edge in shots 21-19.
Each team took a penalty in the final period but neither was able to capitalize, and they headed to overtime after a scoreless stanza.
The Falcons won the opening face-off of overtime and went down the ice and scored just eight seconds in, taking the game 2-1.
Forester senior goaltender George Argiropoulos made 32 saves on the night and continues to lead the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association in save percentage at .945.
Lake Forest fell to 10-6-5 overall and is now tied with Adrian College for first place in the NCHA South Division standings with a mark of 8-4-3 in conference play. Concordia Wisconsin improved to 7-11-3 overall and 5-7-2 in the league.
Since the teams split the regular season series, a three-round shootout was needed to decide which would win this year's "Border Battle" and be presented with the Border Cup. Sophomore forwards Troy Nelson and Joe Sardina scored for the home team and Argiropoulos turned away Concordia Wisconsin in each of the first two rounds to ensure the cup would stay in the building instead of returning to Mequon, Wisconsin, with the Falcons.
The Foresters will be on the road next weekend, taking on Adrian College Friday night at 7:00 (EST) and Trine University at the same time on Saturday.
by Cam McGuire