EDINA, Minn. – The Aberdeen Cougar girls’ hockey team will carry a load of momentum into the upcoming state tournament following a strong weekend of hockey in Minnesota.

The squad won its third game in two days with a 6-2 victory over the Minnetonka Stars on Sunday.

“I like how we finished the games this weekend,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “We were starting to move the puck better which in turn created some nice goals today.”

Alyssa Roehrich gave Aberdeen a brief lead in the opening period before the Stars tied the score about a minute later.

The Cougars began taking control in the second when Aiden Raap and Kailyn Poppen found the back of the net.

Aberdeen then put the finishing touches on the victory with third-period goals from Sydney Hofer, Alli Stoltenburg and Morgan Jones.

The Cougars outshot Minnetonka 31-10.

Jones contributed a pair of assists in the win and Poppen also had an assist in addition to her goal.

Aberdeen will enter the state tournament Friday through Sunday in Sioux Falls as the top seed. The Cougars will face Watertown at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the opening round.

“It was a good opportunity to play these games prior to our state tournament,” Weinmeister said of the Minnesota trip, “and our plan will be to roll this into a good week of practice.”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 2 3 – 6

Minnetonka Stars 1 0 1 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Alyssa Roehrich (Kailyn Poppen, Rachel Siefken), 2:21; 2, MS, Callahan Isaacson, 1:18.

Second Period: 3, AC, AC, Aiden Raap (Morgan Jones), 11:59; 4, AC, Poppen (Lauren Scheel, Siefken), 1:39.

Third Period: 5, AC, Sydney Hofer, 13:29; 6, MS, Frances Lindgren (Izzy Jones), 7:47; 7, AC, Alli Stoltenburg (Jones), 4:35; 8, AC, Jones, 1:37.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 31, Minnetonka Stars 10.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (8 saves); Minnetonka Stars, Maggie Barrett (25 saves).