Aberdeen, SD- The North Iowa Bulls fell in a chippy duel against the Aberdeen Wings 3-1 at the Odde Ice Center.
Santo Simmchen posted one of his best efforts of the season with a 41 save effort on 44 shots faced that kept the Bulls in the game all night. The Dresden, Germany native spearheaded a remarkable penalty killing effort in which the Bulls stymied all six Aberdeen Wings power play opportunities throughout the course of the night.
Isaac Holmstrom and Jackson Anderson posted even strength goals for the Wings in the first period to stake Aberdeen to a lead that held through both the first and second intermissions. Matthew Wisner extended that lead in the third period to cap a back-and-forth sequence during which the Bulls generated some of their best chances of the night.
The Bulls capitalized on a power play chance of their own, with Hayden Siegel posting his seventh goal of the year late in the frame to hang in close against Aberdeen. The Bulls pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but were assessed a penalty that ended their chances of completing a comeback.
Adam Dybal stopped 18 of 19 Bulls shots.
Charles Beland and Eli Miller recorded assists on Siegel’s goal.
The Bulls take part in a home-and-home against the Austin Bruins next weekend with Friday’s game at Riverside Arena and Saturday’s game at the Mason City Arena.