Ryan Ladika/MDN Minotauros’ Colby Joseph skates the puck into the offensive zone during the first period Friday evening against Aberdeen.

If they were not fully acquainted before, they certainly will be come the end of February.

The Minot Minotauros welcomed the Aberdeen Wings back to the Maysa Arena Friday evening, kicking off a two-game set with their South Dakotan division rivals to kick off 2022’s second calendar month. Minot could not solve Aberdeen’s stingy defense, though, and fell to the Wings by a 3-1 final score.

February’s initial series with Aberdeen marks the first of three separate meetings between the two clubs who faced off six times this season. Minot led the season series four games to two prior to the Friday tilt.

Minot swept the Wings at the Odde Ice Center Dec. 10-11, outscoring Aberdeen 9-5 across the two games and later split their next road meeting with a 4-3 win Nov. 26 before dropping their first contest in four tries to the Wings 4-2 the next night. The two clubs would split their next series as well, the first this season in the Magic City Nov. 4-6.

Head coach Cody Campbell’s staff orchestrated a trio of deals entering the Friday contest as well, and all three newcomers were in the starting lineup.

Defenseman Jack Kircher and forward Jack Brown were brought to the Magic City from the Chippewa Steel, and Minot shored up the crease with Friday’s starting netminder Lassi Lehti, acquired from the El Paso Rhinos. Kade Nielsen, Desmond Johnson and Blake Arneson have all seen their time in Minot come to an early conclusion in the swaps.

Lehti introduced himself to his newest home fans with a scorless first period, saving all 10 Aberdeen shots he saw. Though the Minotauros took three penalties in the first period, Minot’s penalty kill was stout and dispatched of each.

The Wings’ Bauer Barry and Anthony Galante quieted a packed house in the middle period, though, putting Aberdeen ahead 2-0 with their first and fourth goals of the season, respectively. Minot mustered seven shots in the opening 20 minutes and nine in the second frame but could not solve the Wings’ defensive scheme or starting netminder Anton Castro.

Minot would crack the scoreboard in the third period, courtesy of Braydon Beahm’s eighth goal of the season, but the club could not inch any closer. The Minotauros can earn a split of the two-game set Saturday night at 8:05 p.m.