The Oahe Capitals never trailed and were able to hold off the Aberdeen Cougars in the first round of the 2022 Boys varsity state tournament winning 5-3.
Jarron Beck scored the first goal of the game on the power play to open up the scoring in the first period but the lead didn’t last long. Jacob Sheel tied the game a minute and half later at 1-1. Ashton Griese would then pick off a pass in the offensive zone and scored an unassisted goal to give the Caps a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period. Barrett Schweitzer would score an early goal in the second period to give the Caps a 3-1 lead before the Cougars scored back-to-back goals to tie the game up at 3-3. On the power play again, Beck would feed Griese at the point and a deflected shot by Keenan Howard gave the Caps a 4-3 lead after two period. Carter Sanderson would finish off the win with a goal late in the third period as Beck picked up his second assist of the game. Carter Schulz made 24 saves on 27 shots.
The Capitals will play the Rushmore Thunder on Saturday in the second game of the state semifinals. Game time is at 7:05 as all 11 games are on Capital City Rock and on YouTube at Capital City Rock Sports.
