MITCHELL – For the second straight evening, the Aberdeen Cougars used a big finish to rally past a boys’ hockey opponent. After scoring three goals in the third period in a win over Huron on Friday, the Cougars exploded for five goals in the third period of an 8-3 win over Mitchell Saturday night.

“What a great game we played tonight. Easily the most complete game we have played all season and we had a lot of fun,” said Aberdeen coach Chris Medill. “Too many times in youth sports we forget about having fun and that’s actually been a focal point for us the last couple of weeks. When we have fun, we play loose, we skate hard, and we’re much more poised with the puck.”

The Cougars trailed 2-1 late in the second period before scoring two goals in a span of 21 seconds, as Jack Podoll and Wheeler Malsam scored unassisted goals.

Aberdeen then blitzed the Marlins in the final period scoring five times. Devon Fischbach scored and Mitchell matched it before the Cougars received two goals from Carter Vilhauer, and one each from Logan Fischbach and Micah Kranzler to put the game out of reach.

“Talking with the guys before the game I told them first and foremost we need to work hard and have fun,” Medill said. “Next we need to capitalize on our special teams opportunities. Then we went out and had two power play goals and two short-handed goals.”

Lleyton Kleffman scored Aberdeen’s first goal. After an even 1-1 opening period, Medill believed his team’s depth would eventually take a toll and it did.

“I told the guys that if we keep playing with great pace we will run Mitchell into the ice,” Medill said. “With us running four lines to their two, I knew at some point we were going to take over and we did just that. It was great to see contributions from guys all up and down the lineup.”

It was the final regular-season game for the Cougars and a huge momentum boost for the upcoming state tournament later this month.

“I’m just so happy for these guys and I just love this group,” Medill said. “What a great way to end the regular season.”

Aberdeen Cougars 1 2 5 – 8

Mitchell Marlins 1 1 1 – 3

First Period: 1, AC, Lleyton Kleffman (Jaxon Danielson), 16:29; 2, MM, Parker Denne (Brody Huls), 7:53.

Second Period: 3, MM, Everett Morrison (Huls, Denne), 12:54; 4, AC, Jack Podoll (unassisted), 1:44; 5, AC, Wheeler Malsam (unassisted), 1:23.

Third Period: 6, AC, Devon Fischbach (Kleffman, Aiden Posthumus), 11:12; 7, MM, Denne (Esten Schlimgen), 10:50; 8, AC, Logan Fischbach (D. Fischbach), 10:32; 9, AC, Carter Vilhauer (Briggs Medill), 5:20; 10, AC, Micah Kranzler (Podoll), 1:25; 11, AC, Vilhauer (D. Fischbach), :08.

Shots on Goal: Aberdeen Cougars 31; Mitchell Marlins 21.

Goalies: Aberdeen Cougars, Colton Townsend (18 saves), Mitchell Marlins, Ian Vaughn (23 saves).