By Tribune Sports Staff
October 13, 2018
GILLETTE, Wyo. – Despite having more losses (one) than the second-place team, the Great Falls Americans continue to lead the Frontier Division of the North American Tier 3 Hockey League.
Matt Janke and Payton McSharry each tallied two goals Saturday night as the Americans captured their fifth straight victory, a 5-1 triumph over the Gillette Wild at the Spirit Hall Ice Arena.
The Americans (11-1-0-0, 22 points) never trailed in the contest, but they were knotted at 1-1 for about 52 seconds in the first stanza before Janke notched the first of his two goals with 48 seconds left in the period.
McSharry and Nate Simpson would both score in the second period, with McSharry adding the coup d’grace in the third. Janke now has 10 goals on the season, one behind McSharry.
Levi Mese’s fourth goal of the young season got the scoring started for Great Falls in the first.
Other than Zach Compernolle’s second goal of the year in the first, Americans’ keeper Drew Scites kept a clean sheet, stopping 32 of the 33 shots sent his way.
The win gives the Americans a sweep of the two-game set at Spirit Hall, and keeps them two points ahead of second-place and undefeated Helena (10-0-0-0, 20 points), while Gillette (2-6-1-1, 6 points) stays in fifth place in the seven-team division.
The Americans will have back-to-back home ice contests next weekend, facing Helena Friday night and Missoula on Saturday. Both matches begin at 7:30 at the IcePlex.
Story Courtesy: Great Falls Tribune: Americans maintain Frontier Division lead with sweep at Gillette (October 13, 2018)