AUSTIN, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Wings are bringing home a weekend sweep, and a new place in the Central Division Standings after their weekend in Austin. Friday’s matchup ended with a score of 6-5 favoring the Wings, and Saturday’s ended as 5-1 also favoring the Wings.
Austin’s Dylan Cook started off the scoring on Friday, but shortly after Matthew Wisener of the Wings would respond. Austin’s Damon Furuseth would help Austin to take the lead, but Grant Winkler for the Wings would tie the game 2-2 going into the second period.
Leonid Bulgakov started the scoring in the second period, and after that it seemed like the Wings would find their “offensive groove”. Bulgakov’s goal was followed by another goal by Matthew Wisener (Mackie and Winkler assisting), and a goal by Logan Gravink (Drew Mackie and Kie Vahakangas assisting). After Wisener’s second goal, Austin would go for a goaltender change, taking out Trent Wiemken, and putting in Logan Rose. Austin’s Alex Laurenza scored to end the period leaving the score 5-3 going into the third period.
It wasn’t until hallway into the third period where the Wings would score again. Jibber Kuhl got his first goal of the season, giving Bennett Koupal the assist. After, Austin’s Jackson Luther and Austin Salani would finish off the scoring, leaving the score 6-5 (Wings).
Saturday, it also seemed like the Wings settled more into their offensive groove. At the 4 minute mark, Logan Gravink would start off Saturday’s scoring, with Wes Turner and Isak Holmstrom assisting. Shortly after, Salvatore Collora of the Wings would pick up his second of the season, with Nick Comfort and Zachary Reim assisting. Austin’s Dylan Cook was the first one to get them on the board, but the Wings responded with two more goals before ending the first period. Isak Holmstrom, assisted by Logan Gravink and Wes Turner – then Nikolai Tishkevich, assisted by Leonid Bulgakov and Drew Mackie. It was also during the first period where we saw a goaltender change for Austin, taking out Trent Wiemken and putting in Logan Rose. The score going into the second period was 4-1, Wings.
Both teams stepped up defensively, and seemed to be more disciplined in the second period. Leonid Bulgakov would score at the 8:18 mark, assisted by Drew Mackie and Kie Vahakangas, but no other scoring would be recorded in the second. The score now being 5-1 going into the third.
Although the score did not change in the third period, the Wings would have to work hard with their special teams as they took a few penalties. The teams were successful and killing off penalties, and went 4 for 4 on the Power Play on Saturday.
Adam Dybal for the Wings was in net both Friday and Saturday. On Friday he saved 42 of 47 shots, and Saturday was an outstanding night stopping 52 of 53.
The Wings are back in the Odde this weekend, January 19th and 20th where they will face the top team in the division, the Minot Minotauros.
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