A big third period kept the undefeated Wings perfect with a 3-1 win over the Austin Bruins Friday night at the Odde Ice Arena in Aberdeen.
The Wings got the scoring started quickly in the first period with a goal just twelve seconds into regulation play. Payton Matsui was credited with the early score with the assist from Trevor Russell and Spencer Schneider. The lone goal sent the teams into the first intermission with the Wings leading 1-0.
Austin managed to tie the game in the closing seconds of the second period with a goal from Cullen Rush.
However, the Wings took advantage of the final 20 minutes, starting with the game-winning goal at the 7:35 mark from Devon Carlstrom, who was back in his first game in six weeks. He was assisted by Thomas Manty and Clayton Cosentino, who tallied his sixteenth goal of the season. Matsui gave the Wings some insurance with less than two minutes left in the game, scoring his sixth goal of the season, with the assist from Schneider and Russell.
“Our guys found a way against a solid team in Austin,” head coach Scott Langer said. “Once they tied it up, our guys came out for the third period extremely determined.”
Goal opportunities heavily favored the Wings, who outshot Austin 38-17. Aberdeen goalie Jake Sibell stopped 16-17 shots he faced.
The Wings went 1-6 on the power play and improve to 11-0-0-0 on the season. Austin falls to 3-2-1-0.
The two teams finally met in regular season play after their original October matchup was postponed. They’ll face each other again Saturday night in Aberdeen. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the puck hits the ice at 7:15 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets ahead of the game at tickets.AberdeenWings.com or at any of the four C-Xpress locations in Aberdeen.
Fans can also purchase tickets at the door and receive a $2 discount with a donation of a winter hat or mittens. All donations will go to the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce’s Hat & Mitten Drive, who will disperse the items to area children.