By Tribune Sports Staff
December 13, 2014
The Gillette Wild scored three of their five goals in the final period as Gillette blanked the Great Falls Americans 5-0 Friday at the IcePlex. The 456 fans saw their team’s winning streak end with six straight victories. The Americans lost for just the third time this season (21-3), all on home ice.
Both teams saw no power play chances in the penalty-free game.
The Wild took a two goal lead during the second period as both Alex King and Brandon Beard picked up goals for the visitors from Wyoming. Kyle Traux increased the Wyoming team’s lead to 3-0 with his goal midway through the last period of regulation. TJ McMinn, a Wilsall, Montana native, scored the fourth goal as Bryce Mitzel assisted on both scoring plays. Kyle Traux also was credited with his first assist of the game on McMinn’s score. Alex King picked up his second goal of the evening (and Gillette’s final goal) off a pass by Lance Pennington and Brandon Beard with two minutes remaining on the clock.
Alex Feese stopped all 37 shots taken by the Americans offense for the winning team. Lauren Massie ended his night with 28 saves while allowing the five goals in the final forty minutes of action.
The same two teams meet tonight at 7:30.
Great Falls… 0 0 0 — 0
Gillette…0 2 3 — 5
First Period – NO SCORING
Second Period – 1, Gillette, Alex King (unassisted), 2:17. 2, Gillette, Brandon Beard (Mitchell McEwan RJ Yusko), 13:39.
Third Period – 3, Gillette, Kyle Traux (Bryce Mitzel), 9:46. 4, Gillette, TJ McMinn (Bryce Mitzel, Kyle Traux), 12:34. 5, Gillette, Alex King (Lance Pennington, Brandon Beard), 17:56.
Shots on Goal – Great Falls 37, Gillette 33.
Power-play Opportunities – Great Falls 0-for-0, Gillette 0-for-0.
Attendance – 456