Saturday night, the Aberdeen Wings were on home ice against the Minot Minotauros. After a big 6-1 win over Brookings on Friday night completing their 4th straight win, the Aberdeen Wings were ready to play in front of 1,460 fans at the Odde Ice Center.
In the first period, the Wings would go on the penalty kill and at the 5:56 mark would get a goal off the stick of forward #24 Jonathan Grebosky (F-Pittsburgh, PA) short-handed with assists from #10 Tanner Okeson (D-Roseau, MN) and #19 Colin O’Neill (F-Odenton, MD). Late in the first period, the Wings would go on the penalty kill again, but Minot would score with a goal from Troy Degler. The score was tied 1-1 after the first period.
Halfway through the second period, the Wings would get on the board again. Wings forward #8 Drew Doyon (F-Indianapolis, IN) would find the back of the net with an assist from #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN). Both teams would put 12 shots on goal in the 2nd period.
Early in the third period, Minot would tie up the game with a goal from Jake McCann. With 5:30 left in the game, the puck would come loose to #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN) who would skate in on the right side, just as he did the night before, and score to put the Wings up 3-2. The goal would go unassisted and the Wings would take the 3-2 lead to the final second for their 5th straight win. Wings goaltender #30 Henry Dill (G-Columbus, OH) would get his 5th straight win as well, improving to 13-7-0 in his NAHL career. The Wings have outscored their opponents 20-9 in their past 5 games.
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen – #3 Daniel Billett (D-Highlands Ranch, CO)
SOUTH DAKOTA WHEATGROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3RD – Aberdeen #19 Colin O’Neill (F-Odenton, MD)
2ND – Aberdeen #8 Drew Doyon (F-Indianapolis, IN)
1ST – Aberdeen #15 Jordan Heller (F-Bemidji, MN)
The Aberdeen Wings are on the road next week for two games at the Austin Bruins. Right now Aberdeen sits only two points behind 2nd place Austin and three points behind 1st place Bismarck.