MITCHELL – The Aberdeen Cougars used a strong third period to pull away for a win on Saturday.

The Cougars scored five goals in the final period to grab a 6-1 girls’ hockey win over the Mitchell Marlins. The win exacted a matter of revenge for the Cougars, who fell to Mitchell earlier this season by a 6-3 score at the Odde Ice Center.

“They kind of got the best of us earlier this year, so it was good to explode for multiple goals in a short period of time in the third,” Cougars coach Rob Weinmeister said.

The Cougars scoring explosion began just under five minutes into the final period on a goal by Addyson Keller. From there, Aberdeen scored four more goals in just over six and half minutes, with Morgan Jones scoring a pair of goals, and Rachel Siefken and Madeline Sandvig each scoring one goal.

“I thought today was a really good team win,” Weinmeister said. “We kind of did a few things different where certain girls had different responsibilities, which wasn’t nearly offensive.”

The Cougars outshot Mitchell 39-20 as they worked to shut down the Marlins top players.

“We had to shut down their top scorer and those girls played their role very well,” Weinmeister said.

Sandvig scored her first goal in the opening period, giving the Cougars a 1-0 advantage.

However, the Marlins answered back in the second period, tying the contest before Aberdeen pulled away with its third-period scoring barrage.

The Cougars return home today to face Oahe in their home finale at 11 this morning, and Weinmeister stressed being prepared for another contest.

“Quick turnaround and so we have to be ready again (Sunday),” Weinmeister said.

Aberdeen Cougars 1 0 5 – 6

Mitchell Marlins 0 1 0 – 1

First Period: 1, AC, Madeline Sandvig (Rachel Siefken), 2:01.

Second Period: 2, M, Brynlee Sabers (Makenna Tronnes, Tristen Zimmer), 15:54.

Third Period: 3, AC, Addyson Keller (Siefken), 11:58; 4, AC, Siefken (unassisted), 9:23; 5, AC, Morgan Jones (Siefken), 7:45; 6, AC, Sandvig (Allison Woehl), 7:25; 7, AC, Jones (Siefken, Keller), 5:20.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 39; Mitchell Marlins 20.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Chloe Vikander (19 saves); Mitchell Marlins, Eva Ramm (33 saves).