The Aberdeen Wings (30-18-4) gained possession of 2nd place in the NAHL Central standings after sweeping the Bismarck Bobcats. Friday night, the Wings traveled to Brookings to take on the Blizzard (16-29-7) who are in a battle for 4th place with the Minot Minotauros, only 4 points behind.
The first period would see the Aberdeen Wings dominate offensively outshooting the Blizzard 17-10. At the 13:07 mark, Wings forward #19 Colin O’Neill (F-Odenton, MD) would score thanks to a great pass from #16 Kyle Haak (F-Okemos, MI). A couple minutes later, Wings forward #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN) would score unassisted. With seconds left in the period, the Wings would score again off the stick of #24 Jonathan Grebosky (F-Pittsburgh, PA) with assists from #3 Daniel Billett (D-Highlands Ranch, CO) and #27 Erik Baskin. The first period would end with the Wings leading 3-0.
Coming out of the locker room for the 2nd period, the Wings would not let up. At the 5:28 mark, #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN) would put Aberdeen up 4-0 thanks to an assist from #12 Austin Heakins (F-Mars, PA). Minutes later, Wings leading point scorer #11 TJ Roo (F-Coon Rapids, MN) would score with assists going to #22 Zach Doerring and #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN). Brookings coach Cory Laylin would replace starting goaltender Connor Girard with rookie Garrett Forrest. Late in the 2nd period, the Wings would get another goal from #27 Erik Baskin, his second goal of the game. Assists would be credited to #20 Dillon Eichstadt (D-Bemidji, MN). 6-0, Wings lead.
Thanks to good play by Brookings backup goaltender Garrett Forrest, the Wings scoring would be held down a bit. At 15:28 mark, the Wings would go on the power play and score thanks to a backdoor shot by #21 Bjorn Sigurdarson (F-Reykjavik, Iceland) with assists from #11 TJ Roo and #15 Jordan Heller. The goal would be the only one for the Wings in the 3rd period, Aberdeen wins 7-0. Wings goaltender #1 Chad Catt (G-Williamstown, MI) would record the shutout win stopping all 28 shots. The Wings outshot the Blizzard 37-28.
The Wings take on the Blizzard again in Brookings on Saturday night. You can watch/listen on FASTHockey.com or 107.7 KABD-FM (Wings Radio Network).
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen #12 Austin Heakins (F-Mars, PA)
SOUTH DAKOTA WHEATGROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3RD STAR – Aberdeen #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN)
2ND STAR – Aberdeen #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN)
1ST STAR – Aberdeen #1 Chad Catt (G-Williamstown, MI)