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Aberdeen wrapped up its North American Hockey League exhibition season 4-0 thanks to a 2-1 victory over the St. Cloud Norsemen Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Odde Ice Center.
The Wings got a power play goal from Anthony Ciaramitaro in the first period and the game-winner from Matthew Martin-Gaudreault in the second. Willum Braun got the start in net and turned back 34 of the 35 shots he faced.
Aberdeen Wings goaltender Willum Braun squeezes the glove following a save in the second period against St. Cloud Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Odde Ice Center. Braun had 34 saves in a 2-1 win. Aberdeen Insider photo by Allie Hoekman.
Braun and Adam Dybal, who played in the United States Hockey League last year, allowed a combined seven goals in the four exhibition games. Dybal played in Aberdeen during the 2023-24 season.
Head Coach Scott Langer likes his goalie combination.
“It’s been really good. They get along really well and compete really hard,” he said. “It gives us an any-given-night situation with our goaltending. They’re both gonna fight for that spot — that’s what all goalies do. We’ve built our team from the net out, and we’re really happy with our defensive corps as well.”
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Langer said veteran returners like Jibber Kuhl, Owen Pitters and Gavin Reed have helped bring along the new members of the team.
“Our vets have done a really good job showing the younger guys what we’re about — our identity, our structure, culture — and I think that combined work ethic is why you see four wins in the preseason. We’ve had some interesting games, but we’ve found ways to win hockey games, which is good,” he said.
The Wings open their regular season with a home-and-home series against the rival Watertown Shamrocks. The first game is at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at the Odde Ice Center. The next night, the teams battle at 7 p.m. in Watertown.
“No better team to open up home and home against,” Langer said. “They do a great job in Watertown with their fan base and all they do at home, and obviously what we do here in Aberdeen. It makes for an exciting night for both franchises.”
He’s also excited about the team’s two new assistant coaches, David Mitchell and Alex Gilbert.
“It’s made it fun to come to the rink, working with these guys,” Langer said.
Friday’s game kicks off a busy weekend in Aberdeen. The BMX North Central Gold Cup Finals run Friday through Sunday, Sept. 21. And Northern State’s homecoming football game is Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Dacotah Bank Stadium.
“You talk about (coach) Mike Schmidt and what he’s been able to do with Northern football, and we’ve kind of been collaborating, our two coaching staffs, and we, as a franchise, love to support them. I would hope that fans going out to support Coach Schmidt would also turn around and come to support our staff and the product we’ve collectively worked so hard to put on the ice,” Langer said.
Aberdeen’s Chad Becker heads into turn No. 3 during the Points Series Championship Friday, Aug. 22 at the Brown County Speedway. Becker would win the WISSOTA 100 Late Model championship Saturday, Sept. 13 in Fergus Falls, Minn. Aberdeen Insider photo by Robb Garofalo.
Aberdeen’s Becker takes WISSOTA 100 Late Model title
Chad Becker of Aberdeen took the checkered flag Saturday, Sept. 13 at the I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn.
The WISSOTA 100 is a five-day event that began Tuesday, Sept. 9 with the Late Model Challenge Series.
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Becker took advantage of his front row starting position and led all but two of the 50 laps in the feature. He earned $10,000 for the win. It’s the fourth time he’s won the WISSOTA 100 Late Model championship.
Aberdeen racer Mike Stearns qualified for the Late Model feature, but did not finish the race.
News and notes
- The Roncalli girls cross-country team placed three runners in the top nine to win the Webster Area Invitational high school cross-country meet Monday, Sept. 15. Addison Cassady finished second for the Cavaliers in 20:59.72. Hazel Kannegeiter and Taylor McComskey placed eighth and ninth respectively for Roncalli. Groton’s Jayden Schwan was the top local finisher in the boys race, taking third in 18:46.10 as Deuel nabbed the team title.
- Ipswich runners claimed the top five spots as the Tigers won the girls team title at the Ipswich Invitational high school cross-country meet on Saturday, Sept. 13. Isabella Galbraith was the victor, followed by Kalynn Oban, Jayla Stiles, Madisyn Gellhaus and Jennay Gisi. Leola’s Jace Bender was the top local finisher in the boys race, placing fifth in 18:49.
- The Northern State volleyball team picked up four victories to improve to 8-0 on the season. After defeating Lake Superior, Quincy University, Chadron State and Upper Iowa last weekend, the Wolves are ranked 15th in the latest NCAA Division II volleyball poll. Abby Brooks was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference offensive player of the week. She led Northern with 55 kills and 18 blocks in the four wins.
- Groton’s girls soccer team exploded for five second-half goals to pull away from Vermillion and win 7-0 Saturday, Sept. 13 in Vermillion. Jerica Locke and McKenna Tietz both had two goals for the Tigers.
- The Aberdeen Central boys soccer team made it seven straight wins with a 2-1 victory over Brookings Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Brownell Activities Complex. Brookings took a 1-0 lead in the first half before Central’s Linus Johnson tied it in the 18th minute. Bryson Burgard netted the game-winner three minutes later. Zander Kuhfeld had four saves in goal for the Golden Eagles.
- The Central girls soccer team picked up a 2-0 win over Tea Area Tuesday, Sept 16 on the road. Lucy Fritz opened the scoring with a goal in the 55th minute. Keyana Stillman netted the second goal with just under five minutes left. Central drew with Brookings 1-1 at home on Thursday, Sept. 11. Fritz had the Eagles’ lone goal in the 38th minute, while goalie Ava Beck made eight saves.
- Warner is the only local team ranked in this week’s high school football media poll. The 4-0 Monarchs are ranked second in Class 9A.
- Northern State linebacker Jake Adams was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference defensive player of the week. In a 26-7 triumph against Wayne State, he finished with 16 tackles and an interception.
- Aberdeen Central’s girls tennis team picked up a 6-3 dual win over St. Thomas More of Rapid City on Monday, Sept. 15 at Holgate Middle School. Estelle Riggs had a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles to help power the Golden Eagles.
- Aberdeen Roncalli dropped a 6-3 girls tennis dual to St. Thomas More of Rapid City on Monday, Sept. 15. Molleigh Hofer, Lydia Nora and Abby Andersen had singles wins for the Cavaliers.
- The Northern State soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to Emporia State on Sunday, Sept. 14. Jaylee Hofer had the only goal for the 0-3 Wolves.
- Cole Brust shot a round of 81 to lead the Aberdeen Central boys golf team Monday, Sept. 15 at the Bill Scholten Invitational in Brookings. Brust finished in 45th place.
Scoreboard
Tuesday, Sept. 16
High school boys soccer
Aberdeen Central 2, Tea 0
Groton 2, Dakota Valley 0
High school girls soccer
Dakota Valley 3, Groton 1