BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – Chippewa 1 @ Aberdeen Wings 2 – The power of special teams was on display Wednesday night as the Aberdeen Wings narrowly scraped by with a 2-1 over the Chippewa Steel. Kyle Murray-Smith was sent to the box for a cross-checking minor penalty just under three minutes into the game, and The Steel wasted no time. Chippewa converted the advantage to take the lead 1-0 on Matic Percic’s powerplay tuck. Leonid Bulgakov buried the biscuit after a pass from Sebastian Lillsund late in the first period to knot the score at one for the Wings. The scoreboard read 1-1 all after 1. The score would not change until the final moments of the game. With just over a minute left on the clock, history repeated itself as Bulgakov buried the pass from none other than Lillsund, hooking up in the only other way the Wings scored on the day. However, this was no average goal. Not only did it come so late in the game, but it came shorthanded, and went on to be the game winning goal. In a game where numbers have seemed to repeat themselves, both netminders faced 22 shots. However, Wings goalie Damon Cunningham made one more crucial save than Steel goaltender Devin Shakar to bring home the win for the Wings.
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BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings took on the Northeast Generals in an afternoon match-up during the 2024-25 NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN. Heading into the game, the Aberdeen Wings went in with a 1-0-0 record, the September 25th win being their first regular season game. Northeast went into the game with a 2-2-1 record getting a win on the first day of Showcase against the Minnesota Wilderness.
The first period would start just 20 seconds in when Northeast’s Benjamin Campeau would fire a quick shot after they won the face-off. Each team took a number of penalties during the first period that would test both teams’ special teams, but neither was able to capitalize on the power play. The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Generals.
The Wings were able to have quite the turnaround in the second period, however, as they were able to stay out of the box. Finally, at the 12:47 mark, Aberdeen’s Jibber Kuhl found the back of the net while on the power play. This would be Jibber’s first goal of the regular season getting assists from DJ MacLeish and Luke Backel. Then, just 2 minutes later, Aberdeen’s Matthew Martin-Gaudreault scored his first goal of the regular season with assists coming from Nick Comfort and Owen Pitters. The Wings would have the lead heading into the third and final period, 2-1.
In the third period, while the Wings were on the penalty kill, the Generals ‘Jake Gutwirth would get his fourth goal of the regular season – tying the game at 2. Following, Aberdeen’s Cade Moxham would get his first goal of the regular season getting an assist from third-year vet: Luke Backel. After, Jake Guwirth for the Generals would score his fifth goal of the season, and second goal of this game. The score would remain even until the 18:18 mark when Leonid Bulgakov would get his third goal of the season, getting assists from Jibber Kuhl and Sebastian Lillsund. And, to end the game, Jibber Kuhl would get his second goal of the game for the Wings while scoring on the empty net with just 18 seconds left in the final period. The Wings would win with a score of 5-3.
Willum Braun was in net for the Wings stopping 21 of 24.
Multiple Wings players had multi-point games including Jibber Kuhl (2 goals, 1 assist), Luke Backel (2 assists), and Sebastian Lillsund (2 assists).
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BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings took on the El Paso Rhinos in their last game at the 2024 NAHL Showcase.
El Paso would be the first to get on the board when Caleb Klein would score on a breakaway, unassisted. However, Aberdeen’s Luke Backel would respond just two minutes later, getting assists from Cade Moxham, and Brady Estabrook. The first period would end with a score of 1-1, and no penalties from either team.
To start the second period, El Paso would reclaim their lead as Jacob Solano scored at the 4:42 mark. And, after a couple p ofenalties by each team, the Wings ‘Ryan Flaherty would even the scoring again with assists coming from Elvis Laskovs and Owen Pitters. The score would remain 2-2 heading into the third and final period of the NAHL Showcase.
In the third period, the Wings played well defensively allowing only 5 shots on goal for El Paso the entire period. Then, at the 12:47 mark, Jibber Kuhl would help the Wings take the league – getting his third goal of the season. This goal would be assisted by Leonid Bulgakov. Then, in the final second of the game, Aberdeen’s Gavin Reed would extend the lead getting help from Cade Moxham and Luke Backel.
Damon Cunningham was in net for the Wings stopping 20 of 22 shots taken by the Rhinos.
Two Wings players again had multi poin- games which included Luke Backel (1 goal, 1 assist), and Cade Moxham (2 assists).
When talking with Head Coach Scott Langer about how the team performed as a whole during this year’s NAHL Showcase, he said “This past week was a good early test for this year’s squad. We were pushed to stick to our game to find success.” He then explains “This group improved each day and being on the road together for a week allowed us to become a closer group.”
This year’s Showcase event also showed how the 2024-25 Aberdeen Wings has players that can add to the stat sheet all over the roster. Coach Langer explains “This year’s team was built to have balanced scoring throughout the line up. We are not a team that intends on leaning on a few players, or one line.”
Next up, the Aberdeen Wings look to open their season at home this Friday, October 4th. The Wings will take on the Watertown Shamrocks. Going into this game, the Wings are 3-0-0-0 coming off of 3 regular season wins at the NAHL Showcase. The Shamrocks, who opened their season the weekend prior heading into Showcase, are 2-3-0-0. The Shamrocks are also coming to Aberdeen after having 2 consecutive wins in the Showcase as well.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at tickets.aberdeenwings.com or at any C-Express location.