The Aberdeen Wings took on the Austin Bruins for the last regular season games played at the Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen.
Although the weekend was a thriller, it had a pretty slow start on Friday night. Even though there were a few good scoring chances, neither team was able to get on the board to start the matchup.
The second period started with Austin getting on the board at the 1:50 mark, crediting the goal to Connor Brust. But, very shortly after, Nick Comfort would find the back of the net to tie the game, assists going to Drew Mackie and Leonid Bulgakov. As the period went on, the Wings worked hard in front of the net, ensuring they were helping Adam Dybal with blocking shots. Then, at the 16:30 mark, it would be Nick Comfort again who would score for the Wings, getting his second of the night and 4th of the season. Assists for that goal would go to Matthew Wisener and Jibber Kuhl. Just 47 seconds later, the Bruins would tie the game when Jackson Luther would score. This would leave the score 2-2 heading into the third period.
Both teams worked hard defensively, and kept good discipline throughout the entirety of the third period. Both teams would only secure roughly 8 shots on goal each with no changes to the score, while also not taking any penalties. This would mean 3 on 3 in sudden death overtime.
The first three sent out to the ice for the overtime period were Drew Mackie, Jibber Kuhl, and Matthew Wisener who would take the faceoff. The Wings would find control of the puck, and Drew Mackie would make a long pass to Jibber Kuhl who would score on a breakaway, getting his 9th goal of the season. This would happen just 18 seconds into the overtime period.
Adam Dybal was in net and took on a lot of pressure as he faced 40 shots, and saved 38. Dybal worked hard to ensure the Wings would have a level of confidence in the last defender, keeping them in the competition the entire time.
Three stars of the game for Friday’s matchup were Drew Mackie (2 assists), Jibber Kuhl (1 goal, 1 assist), and Nick Comfort (2 goals).
Saturday’s competition would look similar to Friday’s. The first period would go on to only record 3 penalties, and no scoring.
The second period scoring would start at the 4:30 mark when Damon Furuseth of the Austin Bruins would get his 7th goal of the season. But, just a few minutes later, Nikolai Tishkevich would show a response from the Wings, getting assists from Matthew Wisener and Leonid Bulgakov. Then, exactly a minute later, Leonid Bulgakov would score for the Wings again, getting assists from Simon Pollock and Jibber Kuhl. To end the period, Jackson Rilei would score to tie the game leaving the second period. The score would again be 2-2.
The Wings would still be trying to help out their goaltender again as they took plenty of blocked shots, and helped to clear the zone. Despite their efforts, Austin’s Austin Salani would score without a response from the Wings. Austin would take this game in regulation 3-2 over the Wings.
Adam Dybal was in net again for the Wings, and was able to save 37 of 40 shots faced.
Three Stars of the Game for Saturday were Simon Pollock (1 assist), Nikolai Tishkevich (1 goal), and Leonid Bulgakov (1 goal, 1 assist).
The Wings head to Mason City, Iowa to take on the North Iowa Bulls next weekend, April 12th and 13th. These games will be the last Regular Season games played. The Wings are still working towards clinching one of two playoff spots left for the Central Division.
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