Thursday morning, the Aberdeen Wings won 5-1 beating the Michigan Warriors at the NAHL Showcase Tournament in Blaine, Minnesota. The non-divisional game featured both teams who suffered loses the day before. Michigan was downed by Austin 5-2, the Wings lost to Johnstown 3-2.
The first period got off to a bang with the Wings getting on the board at 4:09. Wings forward #24 Ronnie Hein (F-Chelsea, MI) got a strong pass from #13 Michael Soucier (F-Caledon, Ontario) and scored a breakaway goal giving the Wings a 1-0 lead. Later in the first period, the Wings on the offensive attack would battle with Michigan for possession. Wings forward #25 Tucker DeYoung (F-Lake Bluff, IL) would send a pass to defenseman #15 Brendan Riordan (D-Downers Grove, IL) who would score on the slapshot making it 2-0. Wings rookie goaltender #35 Andrew Shortridge (G-Eagle River, AK) stopped all 5 shots on goal in the first period.
The second period would be very successful for the Wings. At the 12:19 mark, Wings forward #8 Drew Doyon (F-Indianapolis, IN) would break away from the pack and score one-on-one for his first goal of the season, Wings lead 3-0. After a two-minute holding penalty was assessed to the Warriors, the Wings would score on the power play courtesy of #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI), assist accredited to #3 Daniel Billett (D-Highlands Ranch, CO). With a 4-0 lead, the Wings didn’t back down. At the 18:27 mark, Wings forward #16 Kyle Haak would take a shot with the rebound going right to the stick of forward #24 Ronnie Hein for the goal, his third goal in two games. The Wings would go into the locker room up 5-0 after two.
With a 5-0 lead, the Wings would come out of the locker room facing a new goaltender as Michigan would make the switch to Gorsuch. The Warriors would also come out with some intensity. A battle for puck possession right in front of the Wings goaltender would get Michigan their first goal, scored by Conor Durgan. Now 5-1, the Wings would continue to compete by putting many shots on goal. Wings goaltender #35 Andrew Shortridge performed outstanding in net, stopping 28 of 29 shots.
The Aberdeen Wings will now take on the Keystone Ice Miners tomorrow at 4:45pm CST. You can Watch/Listen on FASTHockey.com or go to Tapz Pub for great food and live Wings hockey on the many big screens.
ABERDEEN WINGS Stars of the Game
3rd Star – #15 Brendan Riordan (D-Downers Grove, IL)
2nd Star – #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI)
1st Star – #24 Ronnie Hein (F-Chelsea, MI)
BUTLER CAT Wings Hit of the Game
#14 Colin Hughes (F-Lino Lakes, MN)