WATERTOWN – The Aberdeen Cougars exploded for six first-period goals and rolled to a 9-0 boys’ hockey victory over the Watertown Lakers Friday night.
Carson Myhre had a hat trick in the opening period on the way to a four-goal evening.
The Cougars also received first-period goals from Jaxon Danielson, Austin Dabney and Ian Ahlberg.
“We had a great start to the game,” said Aberdeen coach Jeremey Backous. “Anytime we can put six in the net in the first period, I’ll take it.”
The fast start not only gave the Cougars a cushion to work with, but it negated whatever home ice advantage the Lakers had.
“It was nice to jump out early and take the home crowd atmosphere out of the game,” Backous said.
Mason Carrels and Phillip Zens also found the back of the net for the Cougars.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s defense was solid, allowing only 12 total shots, which goalie Carson Hundstad stopped.
“Defensively, I thought we did a much better job of coming back through the middle of the ice and picking up open guys,” Backous said.
The Cougars are right back in action today at Brookings.
“We have a really tough test in front of us (today) against Brookings,” Backous said. “They’re really skilled and fast, and we have be ready to compete for an entire game.”
Aberdeen Cougars 6 2 1 – 9
Watertown Lakers 0 0 0 – 0
First Period: 1, AC, Jaxon Danielson (Chanden Nieman), 15:30; 2, AC, Austin Dabney (Brady Huff), 14:50; 3, AC, Carson Myhre (Phillip Zens), 6:43; 4, AC, Myhre (Andrew Coughlin), 3:49; 5, AC, Ian Ahlberg (Jadon Jorgenson), 3:19; 6, AC, Myhre (unassisted), :41.
Second Period: 7, AC, Mason Carrels (Jacob Scheel), 9:38; 8, AC, Myhre (Zens), 1:16.
Third Period: 9, AC, Zens (unassisted), 14:31.
Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 31; Watertown Lakers 12.
Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Carson Hundstad (12 saves); Watertown Lakers, Owen McBride (22 saves).
