The rematch was much closer this time around, but the Aberdeen Cougars fell 4-1 to the Brookings Rangers in boys’ hockey action Sunday afternoon at the Odde Ice Center.

The Rangers scored two goals in the opening period to set the tone for the contest. The visitors then added goals in the second and third periods for a four-goal advantage.

The Cougars got on the board when Brady Huff scored on an assist from Devon Fischbach, but that was all the hosts could manage. Still, it was a much closer outcome than a 10-0 defeat to Brookings the weekend before.

“I thought we had a solid effort overall,” said Aberdeen coach Jeremey Backous. “Brookings is a really good team, but I thought we handled ourselves much better than the first game. We were able to generate some offensive zone time and some scoring chances.”

Brookings outshot the Cougars by a 44-17 margin. Aberdeen goalie Colton Towsend came up with 40 saves in the game.

“Colton had another really solid game in net for us,” Backous said, “and we’ll need that as we head into the last week of league play and our state tournament.”

The Cougars, 10-9-0-1 in league action and 17-11-0-1 overall, finish off the regular season with games at the two Sioux Falls squads on Saturday and Sunday.

Brookings Rangers 2 1 1 – 4

Aberdeen Cougars 0 0 1 – 1

First Period: 1, BR, Jackson Heller (Owen Schneider, Talon Hyde), 11:32; 2, BR, Riley Linstad (unassisted), :12.

Second Period: 3, BR, Ren Jacobsen (Hyde), 10:32.

Third Period: 4, BR, Jay Harris (Schneider, David Brink), 13:45; 5, AC, Brady Huff (Devon Fischbach), 12:48.

Shots on Goals: Brookings Rangers 44; Aberdeen Cougars 17.

Goalies: Brookings Rangers, Addison Ronning (16 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (40 saves).