After holding a third-period edge, the Aberdeen Wings surrendered the tying goal in the final minute of regulation before falling 4-3 in overtime to the Watertown Shamrocks in NAHL hockey action Friday night at the Odde Ice Center.

Aberdeen started slow, managing just one shot through the first eight minutes while spending extended time in its own zone. Jibber Kuhl opened the scoring with 11:30 left in the first, converting on a penalty shot after drawing a holding call.

“Just had to put the team up one,” Kuhl said. “I’ve done shootouts my whole life. I knew where to go and was lucky enough to put it in.”

Wings goaltender Willum Braun preserved the early lead with a key save inside five minutes remaining in the opening frame. He was tested again in the second, denying a 1-on-1 during 4-on-4 play and turning away two open looks in front.

“Thank God we got an opportunity to win the game, because they outplayed us for 40 minutes,” said Wings coach Scott Langer.

Watertown quickly tied the game less than 20 seconds into the second period, taking advantage of a fast start out of the intermission. The Wings responded early in the third when Owen Pitters scored on a crisp transition play, restoring the lead and giving Aberdeen momentum.

Kuhl later added his second goal with 2:30 remaining in regulation to put the Wings ahead 3-2.

“I’ve had similar goals – me and my line work on that in practice a lot,” Kuhl said. “When I saw the opportunity, I just dove down. It was a great play, and I was lucky to put it in.”

But the Shamrocks answered with just 28 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Kuhl reflected on the late moments.

“It just comes down to details – we have to clean them up,” he said. “Especially in those last couple minutes. Once we figure that out, we’ll be good.”

Watertown capitalized less than two minutes into overtime to seal the 4-3 decision.

The two teams were nearly even in shots, with Watertown recording 32 and the Wings 31. Penalties played a small factor, as the Shamrocks took four infractions to Aberdeen’s three.

“It’s hard, you’re hurt,” Langer said. “When we scored with two minutes to go, that should be the game. You’ve got to dig your heels in and not let anything get behind you.”

Langer also addressed the Wings’ season-long struggle with slow starts.

“We’ve been searching for that – it’s been kind of our Achilles’ heel all year – how do we start on time?” he said. “We continue to lose games on Friday night, and it’s because of our slow start.”

Despite the tough loss, Kuhl praised the team’s resilience.

“We shouldn’t have been down in the first place,” he said, “but it says a lot about our character to be able to push through, come back and battle through.”

Langer concluded with a focus on urgency and learning from the defeat.

“It comes down to desperation. When you’re up 3-2 in your own building and you play good enough to get to that point, you learn from it and move on,” he said. “This is the second Friday now in a row that we’ve given up a late one.”

Aberdeen will travel to Watertown tonight to finish up the weekend series.

To see a complete box score from the game, click on the following link:

https://www.aberdeenwings.com/game-center/?game_id=2404457&season_id=11108