The Aberdeen Wings started off the weekend just 6 points back of a final playoff spot on the Central division. Friday they took to the road looking to close that gap. The Wings were off and running in the Larson Ice Center in Brookings. In front of a strong Wings fan base Carter Roo got the Wings on the board with a power play goal at the 5:13 mark of the 1st period. Assisting on the Roo goal were Gavin Payne and goaltender Peter Thome. At the 18 36 mark of the 2nd Tucker DeYoung would find the back of the net with another power play goal. Defensemen Tanner Okeson and Ryan Cook assisted DeYoung on the goal. With 2 goal lead heading into the 3rd had some Wings fans feeling unsteady, but on this night the Wings would leave no doubt. At the 5:34 mark of the 3rd Kevin Fitzgerald gave the Wings some room making it a 3-0 score. Matt Pulver and Brendan Riordan assisted. Gavin Payne would put the final nail in the coffin with a goal at the 11:47 mark, Roo would get his 2nd point on the night with the assist. The Wings left Brookings with a 4-0 win. Peter Thome was perfect in goal stopping all 32 shots he faced.
After a quick turn around the Wings would load up the bus and hit the road up North to take on the Bismarck Bobcats. Bismarck would get things started getting the only goal of the 1st period. In the 2nd Austin Heakins would put the Wings on the board mid way through the period. Assisting on the Heakins goal were Ryan Cook and Kieran Durgan. Bismarck would answer before the end of the 2nd to go into the final intermission with a 2-1 lead. Aberdeen’s Kevin Fitzgerald would tie the game with an unassisted power play goal in the 3rd to eventually send the game to overtime. At the 2:11 mark of the overtime period Bismarck would find a way past Thome to take the 3-2 overtime victory. Thome stopped 39 of the 42 shots he faced. Giving the Wings 3 of 4 possible points on the weekend.
Tune into Wings Weekly this week to hear thoughts on the past weekend’s games as well as a look ahead at another 3 game week for the Wings. Aberdeen will be back in Bismarck Wednesday to take on the Bobcats and then return home to the Odde this Friday and Saturday vs. Minot!