SIOUX CENTER – The Aberdeen Cougars tried twice to erase two-goal deficits, but came up short in a 3-2 setback to the Sioux Center Storm in boys’ hockey action Sunday afternoon.

The host squad scored a goal in the first period for a lead it never lost. The Storm added a second goal in the second period before the Cougars responded on a goal by Devon Fischbach assisted by Quincy Madsen.

Sioux City built another two-goal lead in third and Aberdeen again cut the margin in half when Lance Siefken scored on an assist by Micah Kranzler. However, the Cougars could not get the equalizer before time ran out.

For the second straight day, Aberdeen outshot Sioux Center, this time by a 32-25 margin.

“We had a much better effort overall,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous, comparing it to Saturday’s 5-1 setback. “We had some good looks, but couldn’t find the back of the net.”

Aberdeen is back in action again on Tuesday playing at Watertown.

Aberdeen Cougars 0 1 1 – 2

Sioux Center Storm 1 1 1 – 3

First Period: 1, SC, Graden Van Essen, 3:29.

Second Period: 2, SC, Tegan Doelman (Jake Bogen), 3:38; 3, AC, Devon Fischbach (Quincy Madsen), 2:36.

Third Period: 4, SC, Kaden Svodoba (Judah Baart), 16:15; 5, AC, Lance Siefken (Micah Kranzler), 4:12.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 32; Sioux Center 25.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (22 saves); Sioux Center, Luke Myers (30 saves).