Friday night, the Aberdeen Wings hosted the Minot Minotauros in NAHL Central Division action. The game was Military Appreciation Night with a great turnout of active duty members and veterans, along with their families. The over 1,300 Wings fans were in for a night to remember.
In the first period, the Minotauros scored at 10:46 with a goal from Christian Mohs. The 1-0 lead for Minot would only hold for three minutes as the Wings would get a deflected goal from #4 Eric Moser (D-Chicago, IL) with assists from #13 Michael Soucier (F-Caledon, Ontario) and #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI). Initially the goal was announced as being awarded to Haak, which will play in later. Towards the end of the period, the Wings would go on the power play and score with a goal from #16 Kyle Haak and assist to #11 Victor Ostling (F-Stockholm, Sweden) on a nice centering pass. The Wings would lead 2-1 going into the locker room.
The Minotauros would strike first in the second period with a goal at the 9:32 mark, making it 2-2. Halfway through the 2nd period, #13 Michael Soucier would find #16 Kyle Haak streaking to the net for his 2nd goal of the night. But Wings fans however thought that was Haak’s third goal of the night, giving him a hat-trick. The over 1,300 Wings fans tossed their caps onto the ice to symbolize one of hockey’s biggest achievements. The goal however, would only be Haak’s second of the night. But just two minutes later, on the power play, Haak would score again solidifying the hat-trick and a 4-2 lead.
The Minotauros would get another goal in the third period, but the Wings would control much of the physical play not allowing solid scoring chances. Wings goaltender #35 Andrew Shortridge (G-Eagle River, AK) would stop 32 of 35 shots. The Wings would win 4-3 in front of a very energetic crowd. The win was the first at home for the Wings in 6 games.
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen #4 Eric Moser (D-Chicago, IL)
SD WHEATGROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3rd Star – Aberdeen #11 Victor Ostling (F-Stockholm, Sweden)
2nd Star – Aberdeen #4 Eric Moser (D-Chicago, IL)
1st Star – Aberdeen #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI)
The Wings take on the Bismarck Bobcats on Saturday night. The game is a partnership with the Shriner’s Hospitals For Children featuring a Teddy Bear Toss. Following the first Wings goal, fans are encouraged to toss teddy bears onto the ice for donation to the Shriner’s Hospitals For Children. The local Yelduz Shrine will be selling teddy bears in the lower concourse before the game, or fans can purchase/bring teddy bears with them.