SIOUX FALLS – The Aberdeen Cougars are heading back to the championship game of the State Girls’ Hockey Tournament.

After a one-year absence from the title game, the Cougars will play for the championship for the eighth time in the past nine seasons following a 5-2 semifinal win over the Mitchell Marlins Saturday night. Aberdeen had won six of the prior seven state titles before last season when they finished third. The Cougars finished runner-up the other time.

The Cougars dominated the third period against Mitchell to secure their trip to the finals. Aberdeen scored three unanswered goals in the final 17 minutes to break a 2-2 tie and record the victory.

“Ultimately our depth and forecheck started to wear them down,” said Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister. “We play as a team and everyone has an important part for us to be successful.”

Trailing 2-1 late in the second period, the Cougars began taking control.

Ema Rehder tied the scored with 48 seconds left in the second period, and then Lauren Scheel put the squad up for good about a minute into the third. Alyssa Roehrich scored her second goal of the game about five minutes later before Scheel added her second goal for the final margin of difference.

Roehrich’s first goal came with 39 seconds left in the opening period to give the Cougars a boost after both sides missed golden opportunities on multiple breakaway chances.

After Mitchell had taken the lead on back-to-back goals, Aberdeen seized the momentum and soon grabbed the right to play in today’s final.

“It was a great team effort tonight,” Weinmeister said. “Everyone contributed in some fashion. Mitchell came out with a lot of energy and Chloe (Vikander) made some huge momentum saves in the first period.”

The Cougars will face the Brookings Rangers at 3 this afternoon in the championship game. While Aberdeen defeated Brookings twice during the regular season, Weinmeister said the Rangers looked sharp against Sioux Falls in the other semifinal contest.

“Brookings played a great game against Sioux Falls. They put a lot of pressure on them, creating a ton of opportunities,” Weinmeister said. “We’ll need to be ready to play (Sunday) as they have three lines as well. It should be a great game.”

Mitchell Marlins 0 2 0 – 2

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 3 – 5

First Period: 1, AC, Alyssa Roerich (Raniesa Mattke), :39.

Second Period: 1, MM, Livaya Mimmack (Tiffany Hatwan), 13:15; 3, MM, Tristen Zimmer, 6:05; 4, AC, Ema Rehder (Lauren Scheel, Aiden Raap), :48.

Third Period: 5, AC, Scheel (Roehrich, Kailyn Poppen), 15:55; 6, AC, Roehrich, 10:34; 7, AC, Scheel, 5:36.

Shots on Goal: Mitchell Marlins 17; Aberdeen Cougars 36.

Goalies: Mitchell Marlins, Sadie Kludt (31 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (15 saves).