SIOUX FALLS – The Aberdeen Cougars got off to a solid start Sunday, but were unable to hold off the Sioux Falls Flyers 2 dropping a 4-3 boys’ hockey decision to close out the regular season.

Lance Siefken gave the Cougars the lead in the opening period, and after Sioux Falls tied the game midway through the senior period, Aberdeen jumped in front on back-to-back goals by Austin Dabney and Lleyton Kleffman in the final four minutes of the period.

“We led 3-1 after two and just weren’t able to close them out,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “I thought we had a much better team effort overall, today.”

The Flyers took control in the third period with three unanswered goals to grab the victory. Sioux Falls outshot Aberdeen 24-17 in the contest.

Despite the setback, the Cougars are hoping to take some positive momentum into the state tournament March 10-12 in Brookings.

“Our state tournament starts in two weeks and we’ll go in as the seventh seed,” Backous said. “If we can clean up some of the details in our game, I feel like we can have a chance to win some games at state.”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 2 0 – 3

Sioux Falls Flyers (2) 0 1 3 – 4

First Period: 1, AC, Lance Siefken (Brady Huff, Devon Fischbach), 8:51.

Second Period: 2, SF, Jacob Bergman (Alexander Chan), 8:20; 3, AC, Austin Dabney (Ethan Fergel), 3:41; 4, AC, Lleyton Kleffman (Kayden Wika, Quincy Madsen), 2:22.

Third Period: 5, SF, Ashton Eining (Reece Macarthur), 13:06; 6, SF, Nick Gergen (Drayton Decourcey), 7:45; 7, SF, Mason Haack, 3:26.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 17; Sioux Falls Flyers 24.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Samuel Casper (20 saves); Sioux Falls Flyers, Easton Mescher (14 saves).