ABERDEEN, SD (AberdeenWings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings took on the Bismarck Bobcats in the Odde Ice Center after forcing four games in a best of 5 series the previous weekend.
Friday’s matchup would seem to start slow, but this was due to a huge defensive effort on both sides as both teams made sure to get in front of the net, and block shots. It wouldn’t be until the 19:54 mark, leaving only six seconds left in the period, when Bismarck’s Tommy Cronin would score. This goal would be scored while Bismarck was on the power play. This would leave Bismarck up 1-0 heading into the second period.
In the second period, the Wings knew they were going to have to stay out of the penalty box in order to see some success out of this game. The period would start with 4 on 4 hockey after both teams took a penalty at the end of the first period. Later in the period, Bismarck’s Evan Hunter would take a holding penalty, and send the Wings to the power play, and this would give them the opportunity to even the score. Wes Turner scored for the Wings, with his goal being assisted by Simon Pollock and Riley Sharun. Then, just a few minutes later at the 12:05 mark, Jibber Kuhl would give the Wings the lead, his goal being assisted by Isak Holmstrom and Simon Pollock. The Wings would be up 2-1 heading into the final period of Friday night.
In a response to the Wings taking the lead, the Bobcats would have an opportunity on the power play after Jibber Kuhl would take a tripping penalty. This was when Jake Peterson would even the score for the Bobcats. And finally, just when it was looking like the Wings would have another overtime game in the first round of the playoffs, Simon Pollock would help the Wings take the lead again after tipping in a goal assisted by recent Augsburg commit Zachary Reim and Jibber Kuhl. The Wings would take the lead in the series after winning 3-2.
Adam Dybal was in net for the Wings and saved 34 of 36 shots faced.
Three stars of the night were Jibber Kuhl (1 goal, 1 assist), Wes Turner (1 goal), and Simon Pollock (1 goal, 2 assists).
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Saturday’s matchup would be a tough situation for the Wings, however.
The scoring would start right away just a minute into the first period. Bismarck’s Tamas Toth would score first, and in response would score again just a few minutes later. Then, before the period would end, Bismarck would have another opportunity to extend their lead on the power play. This was when Kyle Doll would make the score 3-0 in favor of the Bobcats.
The second period would have multiple opportunities for scoring, but the Wings still could not find a way to get themselves up. Within the first few minutes of the second period, Bismarck’s Matthew Rafalski and Jakub Kopecky would extend the lead to 5-0. This was when there was a goalie change for the Wings. Just after, Simon Pollock would finally get the Wings on the board. This goal was assisted by Nick Comfort and Isak Holmstrom. Even still, the Bobcats would continue to extend their lead when Tommy Cronin would score, followed by Alexandr Kim, and Landon Fandel. This would leave the score 8-1 heading into the final period of the night.
The Wings made sure to work harder defensively in the third, as Bismarck would not get the chance to extend their lead. At the 10:25 mark, Aberdeen’s Luke Melnik would get his first NAHL goal, getting an assist from Bennett Koupal, leaving the score 8-2 in favor of the Wings.
Adam Dybal started the night in net, saving 17 of 22, Croix Kochendorfer would go in for relief and would save 14 of 17.
Three stars of the night were Isak Holmstrom (1 assist), Luke Melnik (1 goal), and Simon Pollock (1 goal).
After these two games, this best of 5 series is now tied 2-2, forcing a game 5 on Monday, April 29th in Bismarck. Puck drop is at 7:15; catch coverage of the game on 94.1 The Rock with the voice of the Wings, Jay Kleinknecht on the play-by-play.
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