By ABC/FOX Montana Sports Staff
December 4, 2014
The Great Falls Americans can play some hockey. They’re currently in first place in the Frontier Division and are the best team in the NA3HL.
“It’s been a great season. We expected good things this year and guys have come together real well this year and we have some good lines working and things are just coming together for us,” said Dylan Garton, Americans captain.
Part of the reason the Ams have won so many games is because of their goaltending. The Ams have two of the top three net minders in the league, Evan Hauser and Lauren Massey. Hauser is a perfect 10-0 with a goals allowed average of 1.00 while Massey is 7-2 and has a goal allowed average of 1.67.
“I think we’ve just been really focused. We can’t take all the credit. Our D are unreal and forwards have been scoring the goals and when they don’t score we tend to back them up and vice versa,” said Evan Hauser, Americans goaltender.
“Me and Hauser we have a super good relationship on and off the ice. He’s a couple years older than me so a good guy to learn from. And our D does a super good job of keeping the shots to the outside and letting us see everything so they make our job pretty easy,” said Lauren Massey, Americans goaltender.
The Ams have sure made things look easy so far. But they aren’t done yet and know how hard it is to win a championship, especially after getting swept by Helena last year and with more teams in the league this year.
“We learned a lot from last year. We had a good season, good record and in the league finals. And I think that learning hey it’s one thing to get there but it takes a lot to win a championship,” said Heimel.
“I mean I want nothing more. That’s our goal number one – win our division, win the league, then go to nationals and win there. But little steps at the time and that’s the first step in our way and hopefully we take down Helena in the process,” said Garton.
The Ams have had their way with Helena this year going 3-0 against them. And with what they learned last year and how they’re playing this year, the Ams are on pace to reach their goals. Especially if they keep allowing less than the other team.
Story Courtesy: ABC/FOX Montana (KFBB): Ams Credit Success to Goaltending (December 4, 2014)