MANDAN, N.D. – It was a bit of role reversal for the Aberdeen Cougars on Saturday.
The local squad, which usually dominates shots on goal and pace of play, ran into a solid Mandan unit and dropped a 5-1 girls’ hockey decision.
The Cougars managed just one goal on nine shots, while the hosts fired 34 shots on the Aberdeen goal.
“We ran into a very good team. They were fast, put a strong forecheck on and back checked extremely well,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “They are one of the top four high school teams in North Dakota.”
Alyssa Roehrich scored a goal late in the first period to cut a 2-0 deficit in half, but that was all the scoring that Aberdeen could manage.
Meanwhile, Mandan cashed in on a handful of its numerous opportunities throughout the contest.
“This was a game that we struggled to put together solid breakouts and get anything going offensively,” Weinmeister said. “They did to us what we try to do to other teams.”
Despite the setback, Weinmeister said the game will make his squad better going forward.
“The speed of this game will help us get better,” he said, “but it also identified some things for us to work on this week during practice.”
The Cougars, 6-4 on the season, head to Rapid City next weekend to face Rushmore on Saturday and Sunday.
Aberdeen Cougars 1 0 0 – 1
Mandan 2 1 2 – 5
First Period: 1, M, Afton Leingang (Allison Feickert), 15:52; 2, M, Leingang (Kenlee Edland), 5:01; 3, AC, Alyssa Roehrich (Raniesa Mattke), 1:18.
Second Period: 4, M, Edland (unassisted), 2:33.
Third Period: 5, M, Jenna Wandler (Mikayla Fleck), 16:28; 6, M, Karley Gange-Gerhardt (Emline Brincks, Leingang), 14:54.
Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 9; Mandan 34.
Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (29 saves); Mandan, Keiley Bures (8 saves).
