BROOKINGS – A second-period scoring flurry for Sioux Falls 2 spelled the end of the road for the Aberdeen Cougars.

The Flyers broke a 1-1 stalemate with three goals in a five-minute span in the second period and skated their way to a 4-2 victory over the Cougars in the consolation semifinals of the boys hockey state tournament Saturday in Brookings.

After an opening-round setback on Friday, Aberdeen opened Saturday’s contest with a Brady Huff goal to go up 1-0. Sioux Falls, however, tied it with just five seconds remaining in the period to go into the intermission knotted at a goal apiece.

The Flyers broke that stalemate early in the second, then notched two more in quick succession to take command of the game.

Huff got one of those back late in the second, but a scoreless third period left the final at 4-2.

“We had a really good push in the third period to finish the game, but we weren’t able to find the back of the net,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “I wish we could have played one more game for our seniors, but unfortunately that’s the way it goes.”

The game marks the final one in the careers of 10 Aberdeen seniors.

“I’m proud of the effort the kids gave all season,” Backous said. “It wasn’t always easy and we asked a lot of them at times, but they never quit, and that quality will serve them well in life.”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 0 – 2

Sioux Falls Flyers 1 3 0 – 4

First Period: 1, ABD, Brady Huff (Devon Fischbach, Austin Dabney), 4:48; 2, SF, Mason Haack (Ashton Eining), 16:55.

Second Period: 3, SF, Nick Gergen (Haack, Reece Mcarthur), 5:40; 4, SF, Alexander Chan (Carson Edwards, Alexander Heibult), 7:48; 5, SF, Eining (unassisted), 8:59; 6, ABD, Huff (Fischbach), 12:11.

Third Period: No scoring.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 37; Sioux Falls Flyers 30.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (26 saves); Sioux Falls Flyers, Easton Mescher (35 saves).