After being shut out on Saturday, it took the Aberdeen Cougars less than 10 seconds to score on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Rushmore Thunder at the Odde Ice Center.

Lleyton Kleffman scored just nine seconds into the game on an assist from Aiden Posthumus.

“Yeah, fastest I’ve ever seen a goal scored,” Kleffman said.

However, the nine-second goal couldn’t prevent a 5-2 setback to the Thunder in boys’ hockey action. After falling to Rushmore 9-0 on Saturday, the Cougars knew their effort in that contest was not representative of their team.

“You know, I think we knew after (Saturday’s) game, that’s not the team that we are. We’re better than that,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous. “Today, I thought we had a much, much better overall team effort.”

The split-second goal to start the game helped with the motivation on the ice in the rematch.

“Yeah, it was huge. Especially after (Saturday’s) game, just for the kids to understand that we can play with these guys,” Backous said. “Yes, they’re a good team, but we have good players too, and we’re a good team. And just to get that first one was huge.”

Kleffman said he could feel the energy after the goal to start the contest.

“Coming out fast felt pretty good getting the lead,” said Kleffman. “I felt like we had all the energy right away.”

The Thunder answered back with 10:54 remaining in the first period to tie the score at 1-1 before Aberdeen retook the lead with 4:44 left in the opening period. A Rushmore penalty gave the Cougars their first power play of the afternoon and they capitalized, scoring with 14 seconds left of the power play at the 2:58 mark, when Jaxon Danielson found the back of the net on an assist from Drake Witte.

“Boy, special teams are huge, whether you’re killing or on the power play,” said Backous. “And again, anytime you’re playing a good opponent like Rushmore, you have to capitalize on those opportunities.”

The Cougars finished the opening period with a 2-1 lead, despite being outshot 14-5.

The Thunder quickly answered back, scoring at 14:39 of the second period, and then took the lead later in the period.

Rushmore went up 4-2 with 4:17 remaining in the game with a 4-on-4 goal, and then sealed the deal on an open-net goal with 25 seconds remaining.

A fast Thunder defense made it difficult for the Cougars to attack offensively, limiting the hosts to only 14 total shots, including just one in the final seven minutes of the game.

“They’re just really skilled and they’re fast and they make it tough for you. Anytime you have the puck on your stick, they’re attacking and limiting time and space for us,” said Backous. “That’s one of the things we just have to get better at is possessing a puck and making plays under pressure.”

The offensive attack from Rushmore was persistent all game long, resulting in the visitors outshooting Aberdeen 51-14, but it was still an improvement from Saturday’s contest against the Thunder.

“I mean, they have, obviously, guys that can shoot the puck and guys that can score. I thought we did a pretty good job today of limiting Grade A scoring opportunities,” Backous said. “We gave up a lot of shots, but we didn’t give up as many today as we did (Saturday) in tight.”

Strong play from goalie Carson Hundstad helped to limit the amount of times the puck hit the back of the net, despite the Thunder putting up more than four dozen shots.

“Oh, it’s huge. And there was a couple of really big saves he made early in the game that kept us in it. And then down the stretch he made some big saves, too,” Backous said. “So, it’s always important to have a steady goaltender back there. I thought Carson played well today.”

The Cougars will be on the road this weekend for three straight games, playing at Brandon Valley on Friday, Sioux Falls East on Saturday, and Sioux Falls West on Sunday.

Rushmore Thunder 1 2 2 – 5

Aberdeen Cougars 2 0 0 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Lleyton Kleffman (Aiden Posthumus), 16:51; 2, RT, Colton Merchen (Brixton Steen), 10:54; 3, AC, Jaxon Danielson (Drake Witte), 2:58.

Second Period: 4, RT, Merchen (Steen), 14:39; 5, RT, Cameron Ritter (unassisted), 8:58.

Third Period: 6, RT, Cameron Ritter (Merchen, Wyatt Reeder), 4:17; 7, RT, Ritter (Reeder), 0:25

Shots on Goal: Rushmore Thunder 51; Aberdeen Cougars 14.

Goalies: Rushmore Thunder, Brody Lee (12 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Carson Hundstad (46 saves).