BROOKINGS – For two-and-a-half periods, the Aberdeen Cougars outscored the second-seeded Brookings Rangers 2-1 at the State Boys’ Hockey Tournament Friday afternoon.

But the opening half-period – 11 minutes, to be exact – took its toll, as Brookings started the contest with four goals and never looked back en route to a 5-1 victory.

“We started a little slow again,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “It’s tough to spot one of the best teams in the state four goals to start the game, but I thought the kids settled down and started to play better hockey in the second and third period.”

Brookings’ Owen Schneider scored three of those four opening goals for the Rangers. Breck Hirrschoff had the other.

Aberdeen’s Devon Fischbach put the Cougars on the board with under 30 seconds to play in the first period. The Cougars then pulled within two on an Aiden Posthumus goal midway through the second.

But a late third-period goal from the Rangers put the game out of reach for the Cougars.

Aberdeen’s Samuel Casper got the start in goal for Aberdeen, making 51 saves in the net.

“I thought Samuel played outstanding in the net for us today,” Backous said. “The shots were lopsided, but he kept it close and gave us a chance. Now we have to regroup and prepare to play Sioux Falls 2 (Saturday).”

Aberdeen and Sioux Falls 2 will face off at 11:30 this morning in the consolation semifinals.

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 0 – 2

Brookings Rangers 4 0 1 – 5

First period: 1, BRO, Owen Schneider (unassisted), 2:42; 2, BRO, Breck Hirrschoff (Ren Jacobsen, Riley Linstad), 7:45;3, BRO, Schneider (Hirrschoff), 10:10; 4, BRO, Schneider (Jay Harris, Jacobsen), 11;06; 5, ABD, Devon Fischbach (Kayden Wika), 16:35.

Second period: 6, ABD, Aiden Posthumus (Fischbach), 7:52.

Third period: 7, BRO, Jacobsen (David Brink, Jack Merritt), 14:54.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 10; Brookings Rangers 51.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Samuel Casper (56 shots, 51 saves); Brookings Rangers, Addison Ronning (6 shots, 5 saves) and Kade Brecher (4 shots, 3 saves).