Friday Recap (aberdeenwings.com) – The Wings traveled to Bismarck to take on the Bobcats in VFW Sports Center and were able to get on the board within the first couple minutes of the first period. After a tight game all night, they eventually fell short after a couple quick goals in the third period.

In the first period, it would seem as though the Wings would be in full control. Right away at the 1:29 mark, Leonid Bulgakov for the Wings would get them on the board getting assists from Sebastian Lillsund and Jibber Kuhl. After this point, and although the Bobcats are a team that takes the least amount of penalties in the Central Division, they would find themselves on the kill putting the Wings on the Power Play three times in the first fifteen minutes of play. The Wings would hold the Bobcats to just 3 shots on goal for the entire period, and Bulgakov’s goal would be the only scoring chance for the period as well leaving the score 1-0 with the Wings in the lead heading into the second period.

The Bobcats would come into the second period learning from their mistakes in the first. They would not take any penalties in the second, and instead, the Wings would find themselves on the kill. However, neither team would find a scoring chance, and the score would remain 1-0 still with the Wings in the lead going into the final period of the night.

In the third period, no penalties would be taken for either team, and it would not be until the 9:27 mark when another goal would be recorded. This time, it would be Julian Beaumont for the Bobcats who would find the back of the net, and evening the score. Just over a minute later, Charlie Sandven would find a chance taking a shot similar to Beaumont’s shot, and Bismarck would take the lead. After this point, it was a back and forth battle to see if the game would go into overtime. As time was ticking down on the clock, the Wings would pull their goaltender, and the Bobcats goaltender would have to make some monstrous saves in order to keep their lead. There would be a shot that would cross the goal line, but it would cross after the final buzzer, keeping the score 2-1 for the Bobcats win.

Despite the loss, the Wings were able to hold the Bobcats to going 0 for 3 on their Power Play.

Damon Cunningham was in net for the Wings, stopping 18 of 20 shots sent his way.

Saturday Recap (aberdeenwings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings were in again in Bismarck Saturday night to face the Bismarck Bobcats, and although things looked to start off strong, could not generate their same strength as Friday night.

It would be a back and forth battle right away in the first with action happening at both ends, but no shots on goal to be recorded. At almost halfway through the first period, the Wings would take a penalty, putting the Bobcats on the Power Play. Then, at the 7:17 mark, Jakub Kopecky would score for the Bobcats, giving them a 1-0 lead. This would be the only scoring chance of the first period, meaning the Bobcats would have the lead heading into the second period.

In the second period, the Wings would come out a bit stronger, but the penalties would still not be on their side. However, at the 6:38 mark, Kyle Murray-Smith would get his first goal of the season for the Wings, getting assists from Cole Saterdalen and Elvis Laskovs. At this point, the game would be tied, and things would look to maybe turn around for Aberdeen. Just a few minutes later, Bismarck’s Jakub Kopecky would respond, getting his second goal of the night, and reclaiming the lead for the Bobcats. Following, it would be Wyatt Sypniewski to respond with a goal for Bismarck, and before the period would end, Josh Lehto would score as well, leaving the score 4-1 with Bismarck in the lead.

For the third period, the shots on goal would seem to be even between the Wings and the Bobcats, and the goaltender for the Bobcats would have to make some huge saves in order for the score to remain at 1 for the Wings. Over the course of the second and third period, the WIngs would take penalties that would take players Cade Moxham, Gustas Zemaitis, and Luke Backel out of the lineup for the remainder of the night – so the WIngs would have to make adjustments for the remainder of the game. Although the Wings would get some good looks, they would not be able to find the back of the net. Instead, at the 12:22 mark, Josh Lehto would get his second goal of the night, increasing the lead for the Bobcats. The game would end with a score of 5-1 with the Bobcats winning.

Damon Cunningham was in net for the Wings, stopping 29 of 34 shots.

The Wings look to regroup before taking on the Minot Minotauros this upcoming weekend at the Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen, January 17th and 18th. Advanced tickets can be purchased at all C-Express locations, or at tickets.aberdeenwings.com.