Concordia (Minn.) defeated Middlebury 4-3 at the 17th-annual PrimeLink Great Northern Shootout at Middlebury College's Kenyon Arena. The Cobbers (5-3-1) advance to take on Norwich, a 5-1 winner over Plattsburgh, in the championship game Saturday night at 7:00. The Panthers (1-2-2) will meet the Cardinals in the third place game at 4:00 p.m.

Concordia took a 1-0 lead just 1:16 into the game, taking advantage of a Middlebury turnover. Andrew Deters quickly found Jordie Bancroft for a quick one-time on the doorstep and an early advantage.

The Cobbers struck again at the 17:15 mark, taking a 2-0 lead.  Jon Grebosky skated across the top of the circle and into the high slot before snapping a deflected shot into the back of the net.

Just 53 seconds into the second session, Concordia increased its advantage to 3-0. Zach Doerring's shot was deflected before Grebosky finished from the goal line area for his second of the night.

Middlebury turned the game around, scoring three goals in 8:01, including two in a 55-second span. Derek Pimentel got things going with a slapper from the top of the right circle on the power play at the 2:10 mark.

Brendan McGovern won a race to the puck and scored with a quick wrister to the top right corner of the net from the right side to make it a one-goal game at 9:16.

Just 55 seconds later, Ronald Fishman found Mark McLellan from behind the net for a quick one-timer to knot the game at 3-3.

The game wasn't tied for long, as Concordia caught a break and took a 4-3 lead just 1:27 later. Ben McWilliams threaded the needle with a great pass ahead to Tucker Coborn, who broke in with some space. He tried to slide a blind pass to a teammate, but the puck ricocheted off a Panther defender and into the back of the net.

Each team had a failed power play in the third period, as Concordia maintained its 4-3 advantage. Middlebury pulled goaltender Liam Moorfield-Yee (25 saves) with 1:06 remaining and had a few looks, but could not gain the equalizer.

Middlebury outshot Concordia 39-29 in the game as Alex Reichle made 36 saves to earn the win.