By Kevin Scott
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CODY, Wyo., September 26, 2015 — The Great Falls Americans picked up their third win of the season and their second road victory on Saturday night by posting a 5-1 win over the Yellowstone Quake.
The Great Falls Americans escaped with a 4-3 overtime victory against the host team on Friday night thanks to Americans forward Ricards Bernhards, who took over and forced overtime with his goal with under one minute remaining in the third period. He also was responsible for the game-winning score during the extra period to keep the winning streak alive.
Colton Fletcher netted his second goal of the season early in the first period for the Americans on Saturday night. Ricards Bernhards and Josh Larson set up Fletcher for the score during the first 3:34. The Americans then tallied on two more goals as Ricards Bernhards and Brendan Jester each found the back of the net before the first intermission. Colton Fletcher, Tanner Congdon and veteran Austin Krantz assisted on the scoring opportunities.
Yellowstone, under the guidance of head coach Ryan Theros, managed to get the puck by Americans goaltender Lauren Massie to cut the deficit to 3-1. Cosimo Yapello took advantage of the power play and provided the score with assistance from Tony Dahlberg and Manuel Monero at the 11:42 mark of the middle period. The visitors from Montana increased their lead (4-1) as Steven Goran answered with a goal of his own. Adam Apangalook received his second assist in three games while Alaska native Tanner Congdon recorded his second of the night. Great Falls out-shot the host team after two periods (25-15).
Colton Fletcher secured his second goal and the Americans fifth point of the night when teammate Ricards Bernhards found him open with six minutes left in regulation. The Americans held the Quake scoreless during the final twenty minutes of action.
Both teams combined for 2-for-11 on power play opportunities.
The game saw 15 total penalties with 30 minutes of penalty time.
Veteran goaltender Lauren Massie received his second win of the season and stopped 24 of the 25 shots taken by Yellowstone offense. Yellowstone net minder Derrick LaCombe had 38 saves in his first appearance with the Wyoming franchise.
Great Falls accumulated 43 of the 68 total shots-on-goal including 18 in the last period.
NEXT CONTEST: The Great Falls Americans will have one game on the road and one game back in Great Falls this next week. On Friday, October 2nd, they make the trip to Havre, Montana to take on the Glacier Nationals at 8:00PM. Great Falls will return home on Saturday, October 3rd when the Billings Bulls come to town. The action starts at 7:30PM.