RAPID CITY – The Aberdeen Cougars got off to a solid start before the Rushmore Thunder took control Saturday night.
Rushmore scored the final six goals of the game to record a 7-2 boys’ hockey victory.
“They’re really good. I don’t think we played badly,” said Aberdeen coach Jeremey Backous.
The Cougars got off to a 2-1 lead in the contest following back-to-back goals by Quincy Madsen and Aiden Posthumus in the opening period. However, Rushmore scored a pair of goals in the closing minutes of the period, and then added two more goals in both the second and third periods to skate away with the victory.
“We played a pretty good first period, but in the second, we had a few penalties and gave up one power play goal,” Backous said. “It’s hard to maintain offensive momentum when you’re trying to kill penalties, especially against really good teams.”
Backous said the Cougars cannot afford to play shorthanded against Rushmore.
“I thought we played better than the score indicated,” Backous said, “but we have to stay out of the penalty box.”
Aberdeen is now 11-5 on the season.
The same two teams are back at it again today.
Aberdeen Cougars 2 0 0 – 2
Rushmore Thunder 3 2 2 – 7
First Period: 1, RT, Wyatt Reeder (Alexander Dietrich), 8:05; 2, AC, Quincy Madsen (Drake Witte), 6:47; 3, AC, Aiden Posthumus (Cameron Backous), 3:30; 4, RT, Reeder (Dietrich, Hudson Beert), 2:02; 5, RT, Cameron Ritter (unassisted), 1:34.
Second Period: 6, RT, Ritter (Carter Kirk), 8:32; 7, RT, Kirk (Mason McGregor), 3:09.
Third Period: 8, RT, Colton Merchen (Reeder, Dietrich), 16:34; 9, RT, Damien Pongklub (unassisted).
Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 16; Rushmore Thunder 35.
Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (28 saves); Rushmore Thunder, Wyatt Simmons (14 saves).
