BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Wings have made their way to Blaine, MN for the NAHL Showcase, and their first opponent was the Wisconsin Windigo! After a slow start for both teams, and Wisconsin getting a lead in the second, Aberdeen was able to hold them off, and secure the win on day one of the Showcase.

(Thursday, September 24th – NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN) Both teams going into this game knew they would have to play fast, and physically. And, to start the first period, they did just that. Aberdeen would have quite a few grade A chances, and would even get an opportunity on the Power Play, but would come up short. The Wings would end up outshooting the Windigo 10 to 7, but neither team would be able to get on the scoring sheet. Both teams would head into the locker room after the first period tied at nothing.

The Windigo would start the second period on the Power Play, but just after the Wings would go full-strength, they would strike and it would be Ronnie Hill that would be the first to get on the score sheet. Although Wisconsin would take an early lead, not even 15 seconds later, Matthew Martin would tie the game with Easton Edwards assisting with a bar-down shot. Shortly after, the Wings would have to go on the Penalty Kill, but would get a short-handed opportunity, but no scoring would come of it. Then, they would get a couple chances to be on the Power Play, and although they would have a few really good chances to find the back of the net, they would be unsuccessful in their efforts, and the Windigo goaltender would make some huge saves to keep the game tied at one heading into the third period.

Things would start to pick up in the third as tensions would heighten, and Wisconsin would seem more desperate to score. Both teams would find themselves in the box a few times, but the scoring would be all Aberdeen. At the 15:38 mark, Owen Pitters would score an unassisted goal, and Aberdeen would have their first lead of the game. After a few unsuccessful Power Plays for both teams, the time was winding down, and the Windigo would pull their goaltender for an extra attacker in order to tie the game, or even get the winning goal. Instead, they would ice the puck, and the draw would go to the other end. They would send their goaltender back out, but as the puck would go back into the Aberdeen zone, they would send their extra attacker out. With just over 50 seconds left on the clock, Gavin Reed would pass the puck to Taven James who would then shoot it down ice, and into the empty net to seal the 3-1 win for the Wings.

Adam Dybal was in net on day one of the NAHL Showcase stopping 29 of 30 shots, and ending the night with a .967SV%.

The three stars of the game were Matthew Martin (1 goal), Adam Dybal (29 saves), and Owen Pitters (1 goal).

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BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings had the opportunity to take on the United States National Team Development Program at the NAHL Showcase. The Wings were able to stay disciplined throughout the match up, and had plenty of good scoring opportunities all throughout the game, but came up just short of a win.

(Friday, September 26th – NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN) Both teams would come out hard in the first period, and shots on goal would be about even between the two teams. However, NTDP would take more penalties which would set Aberdeen up on the Power Play a few times. Unfortunately though, Aberdeen would come up short. Both teams though would head into the locker room scoreless after the first period.

All penalties in the second period would be from NTDP. But, between the Aberdeen Power Plays, they would be the first ones to get on the scoresheet. Sam Pandolfo would score, and USNTDP would have the 1-0 lead. To end the period, NTDP would take another penalty, which would set up Aberdeen on the Power Play to start the third period.

Aberdeen would not be able to tie the game off the start of the third period with starting on the Power Play, but NTDP would fill the third period again with penalties. During one of the penalties, Jake Boguniecki would add to the US scoresheet with a shorthanded goal, and extend their lead. Shortly after, Aberdeen would set up a Power Play again, and it would be Owen Pitters who would get his 4th goal of the season with an assist coming from Sam Scheetz. As time was winding down on the clock, Aberdeen would pull their goaltender in an attempt to put the game to overtime. With plenty of close chances, the game would unfortunately end with a score of 2-1 with USNTDP winning the game.

Adam Dybal was in net for the Aberdeen Wings stopping 20 of 22, and ending the night with a .905 SV%.

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BLAINE, MN (AberdeenWings.com) – The Aberdeen Wings faced off against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on the last day of the NAHL Showcase and were able to bring home a 5-2 win!

(Saturday, September 28th – NSC Super Rink, Blaine, MN) The Wings would start out looking like they would completely be outplaying the Ice Dogs. Throughout the first period, they would outshoot them, but halfway through the first period, it would be Dub Eunice III that would get Fairbanks on the board. Fairbanks would have the 1-0 lead heading into the second period.

Throughout the second period, the Wings would keep up their momentum, and not let the score get them down. They would continue to outshoot the Ice Dogs, and would continue to stay disciplined. Just under two minutes into the period, Brody Dustin would score for the Wings, and get his first NAHL goal. This goal would be assisted by Gavin Reed, and would tie the game. Just over a minute later, Zan Spari-Leben for the Wings would score, assisted by Sam Scheetz, giving the Wings the lead. The Wings would keep up their momentum, and the Ice Dogs would then start to take penalties – setting the Wings up on the Power Play. Just 9 seconds into the Power Play, the Wings were able to set up, and Sam Scheetz would find the back of the net with assistance from Cooper Anderson and Owen Pitters. Shortly after they would find themselves on the Power Play again, but unfortunately it would result in a short-handed goal scored by Fairbanks Luca Ricciardi. The score would be 3-2 in favor of the Wings heading into the final period of the Showcase.

The last period would again be all Wings. They would continue to keep the ice tilted in their favor. And, they would not give up any chances to the Ice Dogs. Halfway through the third period, the Wings would be able to extend their lead when Matthew Martin would find the back of the net with assistance coming from Easton Edwards. After, there would be 4 on 4 play, but neither team would be able to score off of it. As time would wind down on the clock, Fairbanks would pull their goaltender in an attempt to get a couple goals in hopes to take the game to overtime. Instead, with just over a minute left to play, Charlie Burchfield would be able to shoot the puck into the empty net to seal the Wings win.

Willum Braun was in net for the Wings, stopping 15 of 17 shots, and ending the afternoon with a .882 SV%.

The Aberdeen Wings will now head back to Aberdeen to get ready to face the St. Cloud Norsemen in the Odde Ice Center on Friday and Saturday October 3rd and 4th. Tickets can be bought at all C-Express locations in Aberdeen, at tickets.aberdeenwings.com, or at the Lincoln Repair Aberdeen Box Office in the Odde!

The next weekend, October 10th and 11th, the Wings again will be in the Odde to face the Minot Minotauros. Stay tuned for details regarding these games.