Photo: Courtesy of Laura Richesin
By Kevin Scott
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GILLETTE, Wyo., September 30, 2017 — A night after the Great Falls Americans (4-0-1-0) lost a thrilling game (6-5) in overtime to the Gillette Wild, the team returned to seek out revenge.
The Americans led 4-2 before the second intermission as they held on for a 5-2 victory over the Wyoming team during Saturday’s NA3HL Frontier Division contest in Gillette, Wyoming.
Brooks Mitzel scored his sixth goal during the opening two minutes of the first period. The successful power play opportunity was assisted by Jack Oberg and Gage Thompson. The Wild added to their lead eight minutes later with Austin Newsome picking up his first goal of the year. Jens Juliussen and Kody Thomas scored 64 seconds apart midway through the stanza to tie the contest at 2-2. Tanner Rath assisted on Juliussen’s score while Thomas’ points went unassisted. Both defenses didn’t allow any points the rest of the way.
The middle period saw both Matt Janke and Tanner Rath score their third season goal apiece. Janke’s goal was the only power play goal that the Americans capitalized on during the game at Spirit Hall Ice Arena. Despite being down, Gillette held a 31-28 shots-on-goal advantage after the first and second periods.
The final period saw Payton McSharry sail the puck over Gillette goaltender Aaron LaChance with 13:59 remaining on the clock. The goal proved to be the last points for either team.
The 545 spectators saw both teams combine for 11 penalties resulting in 22 minutes of penalty time.
Great Falls out-shot Gillette 40-37.
Mack Wily (Great Falls) and Aaron LaChance (Gillette) each played the entire contest for their respective teams and both finished with 35 saves each.
NEXT CONTEST: Great Falls plays host to the Missoula Jr. Bruins on Friday, October 6th with game time set for 7:30PM from the Great Falls Ice Plex.