ABERDEEN, SD (AberdeenWings.com) [FRI] – The Aberdeen Wings hosted the North Iowa Bulls for the first time for the 2024-2025 Regular Season, ending in Head Coach Scott Langer’s historic 700th NAHL career win!
The first period would start when just four minutes in, North Iowa’s Max Ferkodic would score off a quick draw and shot. This would be the only scoring chance for either team in the first period for either team, and the score would be 1-0 in favor of the Bulls heading into the second period. Wing’s Captain, Luke Backel, was pulled for an on-ice interview. The first question about what the message was in the locker room pregame beings that in the past, head-to-head both teams when playing against each other have seen the box quite a bit. Backel responded by saying that the Wings are a better 5 on 5 team, and that they need to play better and make them draw the penalties so that the Wings could have more shots on goal, and to have more areas to find the back of the net. The next question asked of him was what the team needed to do to come back from the deficit, to which he responded, that they needed to play a little more physically. They seemed to be a little flat in the first period, and they needed to play up to their normal level of physicality and to have more shots on goal to have more scoring opportunities.
Although both teams had power play opportunities, there would be no additional scoring in the second period. The Aberdeen Wings would add 17 shots on goal, and the North Iowa Bulls would add 8.
The third period would have a better turnout for the Wings. They would start just three and a half minutes in when Ishan Mittoo would score with DJ MacLeish and Cade Moxham assisting evening the score. Shortly after, Luke Backel would score unassisted giving the Wings the lead. The WIngs would find themselves on the penalty kill halfway through the period, but Damon Cunningham would have some monstrous saves to keep the Wings in the lead. With just under two minutes left, the Bulls would pull their goalie giving them an extra attacker. Cunningham for the Wings would get one more huge save with just one more second left in the game ensuring the Wings win.
This was a historic win for the Wings, not only the Wings franchise, but especially for Head Coach and GM Scott Langer.
Damon Cunningham in net stopped 34 of 35.
Three stars for the night were Damon Cunningham (34 saves), Ishan Mittoo (1 goal), and Luke Backel (1 goal, game winner).
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ABERDEEN, SD (AberdeenWings.com) [SAT] – The Aberdeen Wings have taken their first loss of the 2024-2025 season after 6 regular season games.
The Wings would start hard, but would not get a good chance before the Bulls would find the back of the net first. North Iowa’s Liam Bard would strike first, followed by Denis Hodas. The Bulls would be up by 2 early, and would be on the power play. Just when it seemed like they might try to go up by three, Aberdeen’s Nick Comfort would find a pass to Augustana commit Leonid Bulgakov – and the Wings would score short-handed. The score would be 2-1 in favor of the Bulls heading into the second period.
The Wings had learned from night one to stay out of the box, and to not let things ensue after the whistles. They let that play to their advantage and it showed in the second period. No penalties were drawn for the Wings during the second period, however, they were unable to produce on their chances. Instead, it would be North Iowa’s Parker Osborn at the 9:17 mark that would score, furthering their lead. The Bulls would remain in the lead 3-1 heading into the third.
Cade Moxham, Assistant Captain for the Wings, was pulled for an on-ice interview after the second period, and was asked about what the message in the locker room was going to be heading into the third and final period. He responded by saying that the team is playing hard, and that they just have to keep up their chances and produce on them. They would have to keep testing North Iowa’s goalie.
As far as penalties go, it would not be the same for the Wings as the second period. Both teams would draw penalties, and both teams would have ejections towards the end of the game. The Wings would pull their goalie, and had a few scoring chances, but no additional scoring would happen in the third. The Bulls would win 3-1.
Willum Braun was in net for the Wings, stopping 28 of 31.
We caught up with both Assistant Coach Eric Hirschhaut and Head Coach Scott Langer post-game to get their thoughts.
Coach Hirschhaut said “We hate losing, but in order to learn that in every night in this division is a battle – we’re going to face some adversity. We are looking forward to getting better this week and to see how we as a group respond on Friday and Saturday in Forest Lake.”
Coach Langer explains “This team will bounce back after a home loss. This group has played good hockey since the start of the season, and they will continue to do so.”
Next weekend, the Wings head to Forest Lake, MN to take on the new addition the NAHL Central Division – the Minnesota Mallards. This will be the first time the Wings face the Mallards for the 24-25 season.
The next home games will be November 1st and 2nd and will also be played against the Minnesota Mallards, tickets can be found at tickets.aberdeenwings.com
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