Over last weekend’s series with Bismarck, the Aberdeen Wings had the intensity and over powering offense outscoring the Bobcats 8-2 in two games and gaining sole possession of the Titan Cup. But the two teams would meet again Wednesday night in Bismarck for the final meeting of the regular season.
The game would start with a back and forth battle for the first 10 minutes. Wings defenseman #20 Dillon Eichstadt (D-Bemidji, MN) would pick up a loose puck in front of the Wings goal and skate the length of the ice dishing over to #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN) for a shot on goal. The rebound would come directly to Heller for the wide open put back. It would be his 15th goal of the season. At the 14:11 mark, Bobcats veteran Stanislav Dzakhov would score on a rebound making it 1-1. With just over a minute to play in the first period, Bobcats goaltender Aaron Nelson would get called for tripping a Wings player. The Wings would go on the power play with precision passing that would leave #24 Jonathan Grebosky (F-Pittsburgh, PA) with a wide open goal past Nelson. Assists would be credited to #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN) and #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI). The first period would end with the Wings leading 2-1.
The Wings would start the 2nd period still on the power play from the Nelson tripping, as Wings defenseman #10 Tanner Okeson (D-Roseau, MN) would get a perfect pass from Baskin to hammer home his second goal of the season and a 3-1 lead. It would be the second goal scored on the same power play. Bismarck would then replace Nelson with Albertoni. Past the halfway point in the second period, the Bobcats would get a goal back from Evan Giesler on the power play. The second period would end 3-2 with the Wings leading.
Eight minutes into the third period, Bobcats forward Cullen Willox would shoot the puck from just behind the net hitting Dill in the back to tie it up 3-3. After a Wings icing, the Bobcats would face off in front of Dill. The draw would be won by Bismarck sending it back to Stanislav Dzakhov for a slap shot goal, his 2nd of the game. The Bobcats would take their first lead against the Wings since January 10th. Around the 14:00 mark in the game, Wings forward #15 Jordan Heller would skate the length of the ice through Bobcat defenders and score on a backhand shot for his 2nd goal of the game. Now 4-4, with just over a minute left, #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN) would find a small opening around the goaltender for the 5-4 lead. The assist would come from #11 TJ Roo (F-Coon Rapids, MN). With just seconds left, the Bobcats would try to tie it up. Bismarck forward Huba Sekesi would have an opportunity with a wide open shot on the back door, but Wings defenseman Dillon Eichstadt would lay out on the ice and absorb the shot solidifying the win for the Aberdeen Wings. For the Bismarck Bobcats it was their 7th straight loss. Wings goaltender #30 Henry Dill (G-Columbus, OH) would stop 26 of 30 shots for his 16th win of the season.
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen – #8 Drew Doyon (F-Indianapolis, IN)
SOUTH DAKOTA WHEATGROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3RD STAR – Aberdeen #24 Jonathan Grebosky (F-Pittsburgh, PA)
2ND STAR – Aberdeen #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN)
1ST STAR – Aberdeen #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN)
The Aberdeen Wings are in action again this Friday and Saturday, on the road taking on the Brookings Blizzard. You can watch/listen on FASTHockey.com.