MEQUON, Wis. – Freshman Gage Christianson netted a hat trick as the MSOE hockey team rallied from a three-goal deficit, but Chris Hughes broke a 5-5 tie just 23 seconds later to give Concordia Wisconsin a 6-5 win Saturday evening at the Ozaukee Ice Center.

The Raiders (7-17-1, 6-12 NCHA) trailed 3-0 and 5-2, but battled back to tie the score before suffering a first-ever loss (24-1-1) to the Falcons (10-11-4, 7-9-2 NCHA).

Christianson had a hat trick and added an assist to lead MSOE, while senior Steven Shaffroth had three assists.

Facing a 5-2 deficit in the final period, Christianson wasted no time starting the comeback. He struck for his team's third goal just 31 seconds just 31 seconds into the period. It would take until 9:06 for the Raiders to score again, this time sophomore Evan Wilson found the back of the net.

Christianson was back at it at 12:54, completing the comeback and tying the score at 5-5.

MSOE's relief was short-lived, as Hughes put his team ahead once again at 13:17. The goal proved to be the tipping point, as the Raiders were unable to strike for the equalizer. They played the final 55 seconds of regulation with an empty net to no avail.

Following a 5-1 Raider win Friday at the Kern Center, Concordia jumped out early on its home ice, striking for three first-period goals. Tanner Bull scored just 2:49 into the game and his team added a pair of goals later in the first period. Chris Hughes had a power play score at 16:46 and Kyle Fink scored unassisted 74 seconds later.

Senior Michael Thompson got MSOE on the board on a power play just 50 seconds into the second period. He then set up Christianson's first goal, another power play score, to make it 3-2 at the 4:10 mark.

The Falcons answered in the latter half of the period, getting a Brandon Bayer power play goal at 13:56 and a Brett Penner score at 17:08 to seemingly put the game out of reach.

Freshman Austin Campbell got the start in goal for MSOE, while sophomore Nick Kohn played the final two periods. The pair combined on 19 saves. Morgan Hudson got the win for Concordia, stopping 25 shots.

The Red and White struck for a season-high five goals for the second-straight game, but tied a season high with six goals allowed. This was its highest-scoring game since MSOE defeated Northland 10-3 almost a year ago to the day (Feb. 16, 2013). 

The result also locked in both teams to their seeds for next week's Harris Cup playoffs. CUW clinched the No. 6 seed and will play its two-game series at No. 3 St. Scholastica, while the No. 7 Raiders head to No. 2 Adrian. The series begin Friday.