By Kevin Scott
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BOZEMAN, Mont., November 25, 2017 — The Great Falls Americans (14-5-2-0) and the Bozeman Ice Dogs have battled it out on the ice twice so far this season coming into tonight’s contest. Great Falls has outscored Bozeman 14-5 including a 9-1 romp in October.
The Great Falls Americans skated by the Bozeman Ice Dogs 8-2 on Saturday evening in Bozeman, Montana. The nearly 300 fans at Haynes Pavilion saw the visiting team erupt for four goals in the third period.
Jens Juliussen scored the first of his two goals in the opening period. His first goal came early on with Trent Cowden assisting for coach Jeff Heimel’s squad. Jacob Boje answered back to tie it at 1-1 for the Ice Dogs. The first of his game-high two goals came on Bozeman’s only successful power play. Austin Charnholm and Bryan Miller were the recipients of the assists for the host team.
The Americans had their way with the Ice Dogs from then on. Michael Fary and Jens Juliussen each lit up the lamp to give the away team a 3-1 advantage. Luke Richesin, Kyler Mack and Payton McSharry all contributed assists. Great Falls had a slim 27-21 advantage on shot attempts.
Both NA3HL competitors scored during the middle period. Bozeman pulled within one goal (3-2) when Jacob Boje netted his seventh goal as Chad Stucker and Austin Charnholm gathered their second and tenth assist, respectively. Michael Fary gave Great Falls some breathing room (4-2) when he racked up the unassisted score with 46 seconds left before the second intermission. Both teams took 13 shots apiece during the middle period.
The Americans took control of the offensive end during the last period. Three of their four goals were made while the Ice Dogs were down a man. Kyler Mack, Payton McSharry, Tanner Rath, and Michael Houlihan created goals during a nine-minute scoring drive. Adam Vandenbos assisted on three of the third period goals while Jens Juliussen, Garrett Peters, Tanner Rath, Michael Houlihan and Payton McSharry registered the assists.
Great Falls doubled up the shots against Bozeman (50-25) including a 23-4 advantage in the final period. Half of the penalties came in the final period where Bozeman was whistled for five of the six penalties.
Mack Willy got the start and the win for the team from Great Falls. He played the first and second periods and part of the third before he was done for the night and replaced by Cam Macintosh. Willy had 22 saves. Parker Orchard for Bozeman played 60 minutes and contributed 42 saves in the loss.
NEXT CONTEST: Great Falls wrapped up the month of November with a 6-2 record. The Americans will spend December away from the Great Falls Ice Plex. Missoula, Montana will be the site for Great Falls next weekend (Dec. 1st and 2nd) when they face the Missoula Jr. Bruins for a pair of NA3HL contests.