Rushmore jumped on top early and picked up a 7-0 victory over the Aberdeen Cougars in boys’ hockey action Saturday afternoon at the Odde Ice Center.

Rushmore scored four first-period goals and never looked back after that.

“That’s a tough Rushmore team,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “They’re really skilled and compete hard in every zone.”

Hayden Holec and Colton Merchen each scored a pair of goals for the visiting squad, which racked up 54 shots on goal in the contest. Both players also had an assist. Teammate Landon Bartling contributed a goal and two assists.

“Colton Townsend played very well in net for us,” Backous said, “or it could have been a lot worse outcome.”

The Cougars were limited to just a dozen shots on goal.

The same two squads are back in action this afternoon at the Odde Ice Center. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m.

Rushmore 4 1 2 – 7

Aberdeen Cougars 0 0 0 – 0

First Period: 1, Rush, Alexander Dietrich (Landon Bartling, Luke Hanson), 6:46; 2, Rush, Hayden Holec (Hanson, Bartling), 10:06; 3, Rush, Colton Merchen (Cameron Ritter), 11:30; 4, Rush, Easton Knoll (Merchen), 12:10.

Second Period: 5, Rush, Bartling (Holec, Merchen), 11:33.

Third Period: 6, Rush, Holec (Wyatt Reeder), 5:19; 7, Rush, Merchen, 16:06.

Shots on Goal: Rushmore 54; Aberdeen Cougars 12.

Goalies: Rushmore, Jackson Habrock (12 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (47 saves).