BROOKINGS – The Aberdeen Cougars built a lead, but were unable to maintain it on Friday morning.

The Cougars fell 3-2 in overtime to the Sioux Falls Flyers West in the opening round of the State Boys’ Hockey Tournament in Brookings.

Despite the loss, Cougars coach Jeremey Backous was proud of his team’s efforts.

“We played a heck of a game, but didn’t get the bounce we needed,” Backous said. “I couldn’t ask for any more from the boys because they played their hearts out.”

The Cougars got the scoring started early when Brady Huff put the opening goal in the back of the net just 27 seconds into the contest, giving Aberdeen a 1-0 advantage that lasted into the second period.

Sioux Falls West answered in the second period with a goal of its own, before Micah Kranzler slapped in the Cougars’ second goal to take the lead 2-1 with 8:53 remaining in the third period.

But the Flyers would not go away and eventually recorded the game-tying goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime.

In the overtime period, the Flyers finished off their comeback, scoring a goal just over three minutes into the period to secure the opening round win. Sioux Falls outshot Aberdeen 5-0 in the extra session and by a 38-19 margin overall.

Aberdeen goalie Colton Townsend recorded 35 saves throughout the contest.

The Cougars will take on the Mitchell Marlins at 11 this morning in the consolation semifinals. It will be the fourth meeting between the two this season.

Backous said the team will need to regroup and come back strong after the disappointing finish against Sioux Falls.

“It’s really tough to see our seniors on the losing end of that game,” Backous said. “Now, we have to mentally reset and come back with the same effort (today).”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 1 0 0 – 2

Sioux Falls Flyers West 0 1 1 1 – 3

First Period: 1, AC, Brady Huff (Lleyton Kleffman), 16:33.

Second Period: 2, SFW, Carson Sarahan (Carson Edwards, Keegan Clancy), 13:40; 3, AC, Micah Kranzler (unassisted), 8:53.

Third Period: 4, SFW, Alex Carlson (Jack Campbell, Ashton Eining), 2:02.

Overtime: 5, SFW, Nathan Renken (Sarahan), 6:43.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 19; Sioux Falls Flyers West 38.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (35 saves); Sioux Falls Flyers West, Cole Langston (17 saves).