BROOKINGS – The Aberdeen Cougars ran into one of the top teams in the state and came away empty handed on the scoreboard Saturday night.

The Brookings Rangers collected a 7-0 victory over the Cougars thanks to a pair of goals and a pair of assists from Breck Hirrschoff.

Despite the setback, Cougars coach Jeremey Backous felt that his squad took strides forward.

“I thought our effort overall as a team was really good. The score doesn’t really indicate it, but I saw improvements in the team since the last time we played Brookings,” Backous said. “We looked much more comfortable with the pace and possessing the puck.”

Backous said there is little margin for error when facing a quality foe like Brookings.

“Brookings is a really good team,” Backous said, “and when we make even a small mental error, they capitalize on it.”

The Rangers outshot Aberdeen 34-8. Samuel Casper made 27 saves in goal for the Cougars.

“Samuel Casper was in net and played well,” Backous said.

Aberdeen is back at it again today with a road game at Pierre against the Oahe Capitals.

Aberdeen Cougars 0 0 0 – 0

Brookings Rangers 2 3 2 – 7

First Period: 1, BR, Owen Schneider (Kole Kalber), 4:11; 2, BR, Luke Honkamp (Schneider).

Second Period: 3, BR, Zach Struck (Breck Hirrschoff, David Brink), 13:20; 4, BR, Hirrschoff, 11:03; 5, BR, Hirrschoff (Struck, Riley Linstad), 8:11.

Third Period: 6, BR, Linstad (Hirrschoff, Struck), 8:32; 7, BR, Jake Law (Kalber), 2:57.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 8; Brookings Rangers 34.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Samuel Casper (27 saves); Brookings Rangers, Addison Ronning (8 saves).