The Aberdeen Wings took on the Austin Bruins over the weekend at home. After a disappointing loss 4-1 on Friday, they battled all game long trading power play goals but a short-handed goal and power play goal late in the 3rd period would put the Wings over Austin 4-2.
In the first period, Austin’s Kohls would find the back of the net in a flurry of sticks in front of the Wings goaltender. Play throughout the period would be dominated by Austin as they put 13 shots on goal compared to Aberdeen’s 5. No penalties were called in the first period.
The second period would showcase both Austin and Aberdeen’s power play units. At the 2:02 mark, the Wings would tie up the game with a power play goal from #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN) with assists from #4 Jake Horton (D-Plymouth, MN) and #20 Dillon Eichstadt (D-Bemidji, MN). The lead would be held through half of the period when Austin would go on the power play and score with goal from their giant-forward Dickman, unassisted. The period would end with Austin up 2-1.
The game would offensively would be controlled in the first two periods by Austin out shooting the Wings 23-14. But it would be the Wings who would get the final say. At the 13:36 mark, while on the penalty kill Wings forward #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI) would tip a pass away from Austin up ice to #15 Jordan Heller for the short-handed goal on Bruins goaltender Lehr to tie up the score 2-2. With the momentum of the over 1,400 strong Wings fans, Aberdeen would get another opportunity. With the puck in their own zone controlled by Austin, the referee’s arm would go up indicating a penalty-to-come on the Bruins. The Wings gained control and the goaltender #1 Chad Catt (G-Williamstown, MI) would skate off the ice to give Aberdeen an extra attacker. With the 6-on-5 attack, Wings forward #24 Jonathan Grebosky would go top shelf giving the Wings a 3-2 lead. Assists would be credited to #20 Dillon Eichstadt and #4 Jake Horton. The roar of the crowd would fuel the fire in the Wings to get another goal to solidify a win. At the 18:14 mark, Wings rookie forward #11 TJ Roo (F-Coon Rapids, MN) would score unassisted on the power play. The Wings would down the #1 team in the NAHL Central with a final score of 4-2, Wings goaltender Catt would stop 30 of 32 shots.
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen – #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN)
SOUTH DAKOTA WHEAT GROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3RD STAR – Aberdeen – #20 Dillon Eichstadt (D-Bemidji, MN)
2ND STAR – Aberdeen – #21 Bjorn Sigurdarson (F-Reykjavik, Iceland)
1ST STAR – Aberdeen – #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN)
The Aberdeen Wings are on the road the next two weeks. You can hear the road games on the Wings Radio Network (107.7 KABD-FM), on the Wings homepage, or watch/listen on FASTHockey.com!