Saturday night the Aberdeen Wings hosted the Bismarck Bobcats at the Odde Ice Center. Not only would the game be a battle for 2nd place, but the Wings would hold a one point advantage on Bismarck for possession of the Titan Cup sponsored by Titan Machinery.
The Odde Ice Center was rocking as the Wings took to the ice, in front of over 1,600 fans. In the first period, at the 12:48 mark, Wings forward #27 Erik Baskin (F-Minnetonka, MN) would score off a great passing exchange from #17 Davis DeKorte (F-DeWitt, MI) and #23 Derek Famula (D-Colorado Springs, CO). Two minutes later, the Wings would score again off the stick of #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN) with an assist from #12 Austin Heakins (F-Mars, PA). The first period would end 2-0, Wings.
The second period would see the game get more physical. At the 13:48 mark, Wings forward #19 Colin O’Neill (F-Odenton, MD) would find the back of the net unassisted, after jabbing the puck away from Bismarck in front of their goalie. Seconds later, Bismarck would get on the board with a goal from Harrison Aide. Towards the end of the period, the game would get really physical as Bismarck battled to gain puck possession.
The third period would be a back and forth scrum. For the second night in a row, Bismarck would outshoot the Wings. But as the final seconds of the game counted down, the 1,600-plus fans inside the Odde Ice Center would create a roar. The incredible performance by Wings goaltender #30 Henry Dill (G-Columbus, OH) stopping 27 of 28 shots, the three goals, and intense would earn the Wings not only 2nd place, but also some hardware.
For the first time in the organization’s history, the Aberdeen Wings won the rights to the Titan Cup, sponsored by Titan Machinery. The Titan Cup is an annual one-on-one regular season battle between the Bismarck Bobcats and Aberdeen Wings.
BUTLER-CAT HIT OF THE GAME
Aberdeen – #3 Daniel Billett (D-Highlands Ranch, CO)
SOUTH DAKOTA WHEATGROWERS STARS OF THE GAME
3RD STAR – Aberdeen – #19 Colin O’Neill (F-Odenton, MD)
2ND STAR – Aberdeen – #30 Henry Dill (G-Columbus, OH)
1ST STAR – Aberdeen – #22 Zach Doerring (F-Chanhassen, MN)
The Aberdeen Wings are back in action against the Bobcats on Wednesday in Bismarck. Also next weekend the Wings go to Brookings for a two games. You can watch/listen on FASTHockey.com.