Jack Podoll, of the Aberdeen Cougars, right, goes after the puck in the crease as Brandon Valley goalie Brecken Kasse, left, covers the puck during Saturday’s game at the Odde Ice Center. Looking on for the Ice Cats is Ethan Ericsson, center and the Cougars’ Drake Witte. Podoll scored a pair of goals in a 7-4 win over Brandon Valley on Sunday. Photo by John Davis taken 12/2/2023
The Aberdeen Cougars continue to score goals in bunches.
The boys’ hockey team added seven more to its season total in a 7-2 victory over the Brandon Valley Ice Cats Sunday afternoon at the Odde Ice Center. The Cougars have now racked up a combined total of 30 goals in four straight victories to start the season.
Unlike a few of its previous games, the Cougars were able to set the pace of play early and control the entire contest.
“I thought we had a much better start today from an energy standpoint,” said Aberdeen coach Jeremey Backous. “We’re still working to eliminate unnecessary penalties, but there have been improvements.”
Lance Siefken and Drake Witte each found the back of the net in the first period for Aberdeen. The hosts followed that up with two more goals in the second with goals going to Jack Podoll and Quincy Madsen.
Podoll added another in the third, sandwiched in between goals from Brady Huff and Lleyton Kleffman to cap the Cougars scoring.
Colton Townsend stopped 19 of the 21 shots he faced in goal for Aberdeen.
The Cougars, 4-0, have a pair of games this weekend, hosting Mitchell at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Odde Ice Center before heading to Pierre on Sunday to face Oahe.
“Our schedule will get much tougher going forward with games against Mitchell and Pierre next weekend,” Backous said. “Both games will be a good test for this team early in the season.”