It was a solid start for the Aberdeen Cougars, but a frustrating finish at the Odde Ice Center Saturday night.

The Cougars were unable to retain early momentum and eventually fell to the Brookings Rangers 3-2 in overtime in boys’ hockey action.

“Unfortunately, the goal that won it, you hate to see it end like that,” said Cougars coach Jeremey Backous, “but those are the breaks and sometimes they go your way and sometimes they don’t.”

Aberdeen scored a pair of first period goals on just seven shots to open the contest.

Micah Kranzler found the back of the net for the first goal as he caught the Rangers in a line change and took advantage of his open space.

“When I turned around and I saw they went for a change, I realized like I’m the only person here,” Kranzler said. “I was looking at the net, low glove was open so I shot it there and it just happened to go in.”

Jaxon Danielson then scored a goal in the final minute of the first period and the Cougars owned a two-goal lead despite being outshot 16-7 in the first 17 minutes.

Aberdeen then failed to get a shot on goal in the second period as the Rangers tied the score with a pair of goals.

“I thought we played pretty well in the first period. I think in that second period … it felt like we were playing more not to lose and make mistakes than we were playing free and loose like we did in the first period,” Backous said. “That’s what we talked about between the second and the third, we’re not going to be able to just hang on to beat a team like Brookings. We have to get back on the attack.”

The majority of the second period was played in front of the Aberdeen goal as the Cougars struggled to find the momentum they had in the opening period.

“We just kind of came out a little flat,” Kranzler said. “There wasn’t much energy. We were kind of up tight. We didn’t really play loose.”

Neither team was able to score in the third, but both had chances. The Cougars owned a two-man advantage for 47 seconds, before a penalty negated that opportunity.

“That was really a critical time in the game,” Backous said. “That power play, we need to get pucks in the net. It’s not a two minute keep away game. We have to get pucks in the net and create pressure in front.”

Aberdeen fought off a power play to end regulation and start overtime, but the Rangers eventually produced the game-winner with 3:36 remaining.

Carson Hundstad had a solid game in goal for the Cougars, but it wasn’t quite enough. Brookings outshot Aberdeen by a 38-18 margin.

“He played really well in net for us,” Backous said. “Any time you only give up three on 38 shots, you can’t ask for any more than that.”

Hundstad credited his teammates for his play in goal.

“Communction is big with my defense,” Hundstad said, “and they let me see the puck and you get it out.”

In the end, Brookings was able to penetrate the Aberdeen defense for high-percentage shots, while the Cougars were limited to long-range opportunities.

“That’s one of the things we’ve really been focusing on at practice too, is just getting pucks and bodies to the net,” Backous said. “Playing with urgency around the net, just creating traffic and being hard to play against in that 10-foot area around the crease. As you can see, the game winner was scored right there, right on top of the net.”

Kranzler has been a part of thrilling victories and disappointing losses as a member of the Cougars.

“You can go and play this game and score a goal, and turn around and you just make a critical mistake at the end of the game,” Kranzler said. “The game is fun, but sometimes it’s a roller coaster.”

The Cougars will need to have a short memory, hosting Oahe in another contest at 3 this afternoon.

Hundstad said the team will try to bounce back in today’s game after the close setback on Saturday.

“We have to come back (Sunday) and get the win,” Hundstad said. “It’s definitely tough, because you’re in your own barn.”

Brookings Rangers 0 2 0 1 – 3

Aberdeen Cougars 2 0 0 0 – 2

First Period: 1, AC, Micah Kranzler (unassisted), 9:31; 2, AC, Jaxon Danielson (Aiden Posthumus, Drake Witte), :34.

Second Period: 3, BR, Luke Honkomp (unassisted), 14:34; 4, BR, Talon Hyde (Riley Linstad, Maxten Jensen), 2:32.

Third Period: no scoring.

Overtime: 5, BR, Jensen (unassisted), 3:36.

Shots on Goal: Brookings Rangers 38; Aberdeen Cougars 18.

Goalies: Brookings Rangers, Matthew Bothe (16 saves); Aberdeen Cougars, Carson Hundstad (35 saves).