BROOKINGS – A second period scoring surge by Mitchell proved to be too much for Aberdeen to overcome on Saturday.

The Marlins used a four-goal second period to dispatch the Cougars 5-3 in consolation round action at the State Boys’ Hockey Tournament in Brookings.

“I hate to have the season end for the seniors that way,” Cougars coach Jeremey Backous said of the loss. “We started off with an early power play goal, but just weren’t able to do much after that, unfortunately.”

After a Pacxton Denne goal gave Mitchell a 1-0 lead in the first period, the Marlins went to work in the second period, striking the back of the net with four goals, including two more by Denne.

Parker Denne and Levi Loken also provided goals for the Marlins during the scoring stretch, while the Cougars lone goal in the period came from Quincy Madsen, with the assist by Devon Fischbach.

“We had a couple breakdowns in defensive coverage and just did not play very well on our own end,” Backous said of the second period. “Mitchell has a couple of kids that can really shoot the puck, and they were able to do that, and found the back of the net a few times.”

Despite the deficit, the Cougars continued to fight by scoring a pair of goals in the third period. Micah Kranzler and Aiden Posthumus found the back of the net, but despite outshooting the Marlins 32-27, the Cougars could not pull any closer as the Marlins hung on for the win.

Cougars’ goalie Colton Townsend tallied 22 saves during the contest, while Madsen added a pair of assists.

While the Cougars season comes to an end, Backous was thankful for the seniors and the opportunities the team had to grow this year.

“I just can’t say enough about this group of kids, especially our seniors. They have meant so much to this program and to our team,” Backous said. “They’ve shown a lot of character and resiliency, and those qualities will serve them well in life.”

Aberdeen Cougars 0 1 2 – 3

Mitchell Marlins 1 4 0 – 5

First Period: 1, M, Pacxton Denne (Levi Loken, Parker Denne), 15:49.

Second Period: 2, M, Pacxton Denne (Parker Denne, Tyson Sabers), 13:29; 3, M, Parker Denne, 10:58; 4, AC, Quincy Madsen (Devon Fischbach), 10:03; 5, M, Loken (unassisted), 7:22; 6, M, Pacxton Denne (unassisted), 4:23.

Third Period: 7, AC, Micah Kranzler (Madsen, Lance Siefken), 15:35; 8, AC, Aiden Posthumus (Levi Little, Madsen), :23.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 32; Mitchell Marlins 27.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (22 saves); Mitchell Marlins, Ian Vaughan (29 saves).