The Aberdeen Wings remain undefeated on the season following an 8-3 win over the Bismarck Bobcats at home at the Odde Ice Center Friday.
Jordan Randall, who was named the NAHL Bauer Central Division Star of the Week last week, continued his successful streak with a hat trick and two assists, with nearly all points coming in a busy second period.
The Bobcats got the scoring started in the first period. Lars Rodne put Bismarck on the board first with an assist from George Grannis, and Tim Piechowski made it 2-0 Bismarck heading into the locker room after the first 20 minutes.
It was nearly all Aberdeen in the second period. Natan Vertes got the Wings on the board at the 8:34 mark, with the assist from Thomas Manty and Ben Badalamenti. Just over a minute later Randall tied it up with his first goal of the night off an assist from Cade Neilson and Trevor Russell. Neilson scored his first goal of the season at the 12:14 mark, with the assist going to Randall and Michael Reed, giving the Wings a 3-2 lead.
Vertes kept the scoring going with his second goal of the night at the 13:39 mark. Manty and Clayton Cosentino were credited with the assist. Randall picked up his second goal of the night at the 14:58 mark, assisted by Reed and Neilson, to put the Wings ahead 5-2. Just over 17 minutes into the second period, Randall scored his third goal of the game. He was assisted on the hat trick by Payton Matsui and Cosentino, who picked up his tenth assist of the season.
Bobcats’ Rodne scored his second goal of the game in the final minute of the second period, and the teams headed into the final intermission with the Wings leading 6-3.
In the final period, Reed found the back of the net at the 13:17 mark, with the assist from Randall and Jackson Yee. Ben Badalamenti scored his first goal as a Wing at 16:14 in the final period, sealing the win 8-3. Badalamenti was assisted by Vertes and Nico deVita.
Bismarck’s Rodne had his chance for a hat trick with a penalty shot in the third period, but he was denied by Wings goalie Jake Sibell. Sibell stopped 17 of the 20 shots he faced. The Wings had 44 shots on goal.
In addition to Randall’s three goals and two assists. Vertes notched two goals and one assist, and Cosentino added two assists for the Wings. The Wings went three of five on the power play and move to 5-0 on the season.
The Wings travel to Bismarck on Saturday. Fans can watch the game at 7:15 p.m. at Buffalo Wing and Rings in Aberdeen or via their HockeyTV account. The Wings will close out October at home next weekend, hosting the Austin Bruins both Friday and Saturday. The puck drops at 7:15 both nights.
Friday, Oct. 30 is Free Kids Friday. Kids will receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket purchased at the door. Saturday’s Halloween game will features treats children in attendance.
Tickets can be purchased before the games at https://tickets.AberdeenWings.com.