SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – A strong finish could not make up for a rough start for the Aberdeen Cougars boys’ hockey team Saturday evening. The Cougars dropped a 5-1 decision to the Sioux Center Storm.

The host squad scored a pair of first-period goals, and then added two more in the second, one just 17 seconds into the period and the other with 34 seconds left in the period.

Aberdeen got on the board on a goal by Micah Kranzler on an assist from Brady Huff just 12 seconds into the third period, but it wasn’t enough. The Storm then added another goal for the final margin of difference.

The Cougars ended up outshooting the Storm 25-17, including 13-4 in the third period.

“We weren’t able to overcome a slow start,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “I thought the third period we played with energy and played better hockey in general. If we can start (today’s) game with the same effort we ended (Saturday’s) game with, I think the outcome will be different.”

The same two squads are back at it again today.

Aberdeen Cougars 0 0 1 – 1

Sioux Center Storm 2 2 1 – 5

First Period: 1, SC, Kaase van Niejenhuis (Easton Van Den Berg), 11:32; 2, SC, Tegan Doelman (Aidan De Jager), 9:23.

Second Period: 3, SC, Doelman, 16:43; 4, SC, Doelman (Braylen Crawford), :34.

Third Period: 5, AC, Micah Kranzler (Brady Huff), 16:48; 6, SC, Van Den Berg (Kaden Svoboda, Judah Baart), 11:18.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 25; Sioux Center Storm 17.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Samuel Casper (9 saves), Colton Townsend (3 saves); Sioux Center Storm, Luke Myers (24 saves).