Wild split games against Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, SD. - The Wenatchee Wild split a two-game slate with the Aberdeen Wings recently.

Wenatchee was able to take the first game 4-2 Friday before allowing a late goal and falling to the Wings 3-2 Saturday.

The Wild are now 14-12-3.

The offense fired early for the Wild as Gadel Gumerov, Tanner Barnes and Nicholas Rivera all found the back of the net in the first period.

Barnes scored his second of the game and the Wild cruised to a 4-2 win.

"Nice to start this roadie off with a win," head coach Bliss Littler said after Friday's win. "Good effort. Big Challenge to back it up tomorrow against a good, well-coached team."

Wenatchee outshot Aberdeen 33-31 and Gustaf Johansson made 29 saves for the Wild.

The thought of escaping South Dakota with two wins was foiled Saturday after a late third period goal by Aberdeen downed Wenatchee, 3-2.

Sam Becker scored two goals for the Wild, but the Wings rallied to tie the score at 2-2 in the third period before scoring the go-ahead goal with just over three minutes remaining in the game.

"Played well for the most part," Littler said. "We're just not mature enough to handle success on the road one night, then back it up the next. It will come."

Wenatchee will travel to Minot for a pair of games Dec. 20 and 21.