By Tribune Sports Staff
March 12, 2014
GILLETTE, Wyo. – Donavan Mattfeldt smashed a pair of second-period goals Wednesday and help, then helped the Great Falls Americans fend off hard-charging Gillette 3-2 in the second game of the first round of the AWHL Playoffs at Campbell County Ice Arena.
The No. 2 seed Americans, who won Tuesday night 5-1, now lead the best-of-five series 2 games to none, with the scene moving to the Great Falls IcePlex for Game 3 Friday night.
Gillette outshot the Americans 37-32, the second time in as many days the Wild has outshot Great Falls.
Game 3 of the best-of-five series will be Friday night at 7:30 at the IcePlex. If necessary, Games 4 and 5 will be played at Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
In the other AWHL semifinal series, the Helena Bighorns defeated the Billings Bulls 4-1. The Bighorns won the first game of the series 4-0 on Tuesday.
Great Falls…0 3 0 — 3
Gillette…0 0 2 — 2
First period — no scoring.
Second period — 1. Great Falls, Austin Nottke, 15:16. 2. Great Falls, Donovan Mattfeldt (Brady Christiaens) 17:41 (pp). 3. Great Falls, Donovan Mattfeldt (Dylan Garton) 19:59.
Third period — 4. Gillette, Greg Sauers (Bryce Mitzel) 6:04. 5. Gillette, Shane Brown (Will Fobair, Bryce Mitzel) 14:08.
Power play opportunities — Great Falls 1-4. Gillette 0-5.
Shots on goal —Great Falls 7-15-10—32. Gillette 10-12-15—37.
Goalies/saves — Great Falls, Erik Powell (W, 37 shots/35 saves). Gillette, Michael Kitts (L, 32 shots, 29 saves).
Story Courtesy: Great Falls Tribune: AWHL Playoffs: Americans take Wild, take 2-0 series lead (March 12, 2014)