What a difference a day can make.

After a sluggish performance against Sioux Center on Saturday, the Aberdeen Cougars responded in dominating fashion on Sunday with a 7-0 victory over the Storm at the Odde Ice Center.

“It was a tale of two teams. We played a much better game today,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “I’m proud of the way the team responded after (Saturday’s) lackluster effort.”

After a scoreless first period, Aberdeen lit up the scoreboard with four goals in the second period, scoring twice in the opening minute of the period.

Jacob Scheel scored 11 seconds after the puck dropped to start the period and Mason Carrels added another goal just 45 seconds later. AJ Dabney and Kason Claymore also found the back of the net for the Cougars during that period, the last goal coming with one second remaining.

Scheel and Claymore each added another goal in the third to go along with one by Andrew Woehl.

Scheel finished with three assists in the victory, while Carrels and Claymore each had two.

“I feel like today’s effort is much more indicative of the team we are,” Backous said.

Aberdeen outshot the Storm by just a 24-19 margin, but the Cougars made the most of their opportunities.

“Today we were aggressive on pucks and did a much better job of winning races, and then getting pucks and bodies to the net,” Backous said. “All of our lines contributed and Carson Hundstad played really well in net.”

The Cougars will now try to keep building momentum the rest of the regular season in preparation for this year’s state tournament.

“With only four regular season games remaining we need to focus on bringing our best effort to every game,” Backous said.

Sioux Center 0 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen Cougars 0 4 3 – 7

First Period: No scoring.

Second Period: 1, AC, Jacob Scheel (Mason Carrels), 16:49; 2, AC, Carrels (Scheel, Kason Claymore), 16:04; 3, AC, AJ Dabney (Jacob Grau), 8:16; 4, AC, Claymore (Scheel), :01.

Third Period: 5, AC, Scheel (Claymore, Carrels), 11:01; 6, AC, Andrew Woehl (Dabney, Brady Huff), 7:06; 7, AC, Claymore (Andrew Coughlin, Scheel), :59.

Shots on Goal: Sioux Center 19; Aberdeen Cougars 24.

Goalies: Sioux Center, Luke Myers (17 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Carson Hundstad (19 saves).