WINONA, Minn. — The Cardinals' playoff lives were in their own hands heading into Friday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game against Bethel.

Win, and SMU was one step closer to a sixth straight MIAC post-season appearance.

Lose, and the Cardinals would need some outside help.

Which is exactly where coach Terry Mannor and the Cardinals found themselves following Friday's 2-0 loss to the Royals at the SMU Ice Arena — in need of some assistance.

Enter Concordia.

The Cobbers scored the game-winner with 56 seconds remaining en rotue to a 3-2 win over Augsburg — a win that kept the Cardinals two points ahead of the Auggies for the fifth and final playoff spot.

"We went from controlling our own destiny, to having our (playoff) future decided by someone else — and, fortunately, we got the help we needed," said Mannor, whose team — which had its eight-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss — must win or tie in their rematch with Bethel on Saturday. "We dodged one bullet, hopefully (Saturday) we don't put ourselves in a position where we have to dodge another one."

"We all knew what was at stake tonight, we just didn't come out ready to play," said Mannor. "There have been just three games this season that our opponents outworked us — and, unfortunately, this game was No. 3.

"I was a little worried about how we would come out, considering we have been on break all week," continued Mannor. "We were just flat, especially in the first two periods."

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Bethel got all the offense it would need in the second period, as Amy Beitzel and Elicia Adams netted powerplay goals — Beitzel's just 14 seconds into the period — to give the Royals a commanding 2-0 advantage.

And Bethel goalie Beth Spurrier made that two-goal advantage stand up, as she kicked out all 26 shots she faced.

"I thought we played very well over the last 20 minutes," said Mannor. "Unfortunately, we didn't compete like that in the first 40 — and you aren't going to win many hockey games playing just one good period.

"The only thing we can control now is how we play — we've got to come out (Saturday) and play our best game of the season. " continued Mannor. "Hopefully we can put three good periods together, and we won't have to rely on anyone else to help get us in."