ABERDEEN – The Rangers routed the Cougars 8-0 on Saturday at Odde Ice Center to maintain their spot atop the SDAHA standings.
Dominic Dobesh notched a natural hat trick, and then some, as he scored four consecutive goals. He added a pair of assists.
Brookings outshot Aberdeen 51-4, as Ranger goalie Tristian Hokenson earned the shutout win between the pipes.
Mason Gerstner, Cody Niklason and Matthew Chapin each tallied a goal and an assist. Joel Syrstad had two helpers.
Chapin netted a power-play goal on an assist from Niklason 3 1/2 minutes into the game to get things going.
Dobesh scored less than a minute later and then found the back of the net three times in the second period as Brookings moved ahead 5-0.
Third-period goals by Gerstner, Niklason and Jamison Honkomp provided for the final margin.
Brenden Way and Carter Shoup both added an assist.
Landon Danielson had 43 saves for Aberdeen (0-6-0-0).
Brookings (7-1-1-0) takes a nearly month-long break from league play before heading to Sioux Center, Iowa, for a game Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4:45 p.m.
