By Kevin Scott
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GILLETTE, Wyo., October 23, 2015 — The Great Falls Americans (8-2) downed NA3HL Frontier Division foe, the Gillette Wild (5-5) last night, 4-1 for their seventh win in nine games.
American standout Brendan Jester just missed having a hat trick (he scored two goals) and he also had two assists. Goalie Lauren Massie stopped 24 of the 25 shots that Gillette’s offense sent his way for his fourth win in five appearances.
Tonight, the Great Falls Americans looked for their third straight win and eighth overall as they lead the Frontier Division in the NA3HL.
The Great Falls Americans took a two-goal lead heading into the final period to upend the Gillette Wild, 5-2 as 589 spectators saw the Americans win for the second time in as many nights at the Spirit Hall Ice Arena.
Great Falls started just like they did on Thursday night. The Americans scored twice and kept the Gillette Wild out of the net during the first period. It took 5:26 for the visiting team to get on the scoreboard. Brendan Jester picked up where he did the previous night and converted the game’s first score with assistance from Stevan Goran. Seven minutes later, Adam Apangalook made sure to capitalize on a power play to put Great Falls up 2-0. Brendan Jester and Reed Link picked up the assists. Great Falls out-shot the host team 13-6.
Both offenses were stymied by strong defensive efforts during the middle period. Neither team was able to find the back of the net. Each team had three minor penalties after two periods of play.
Most of the goals scored happened during the final period of regulation. Gillette came within one goal as Tyler Reble found teammate Kyle Traux open for the Wild’s first score midway through the period. Stevan Goran and Tanner Congdon put the Americans up 4-1 with 6:55 on the clock. Goran’s power play was assisted by Adam Apangalook and Reed Link while Arseny Ivanov along with Connor Barta set up Congdon’s score. Alex King converted the only power play for the Gillette franchise to cut the deficit to 4-2 32 seconds after Congdon gave the Americans their fourth point. Gennadi Zabeline provided his only assist of the contest.
The Americans went 3-for-7 in power play chances on the night with the third one coming via Reed Link. The tally came with 36 seconds left in the contest and Stevan Goran and Miles Giorgione picked up the assists. Gillette’s only successful power play opportunity came with 6:23 left in the third period on Alex King’s score.
Four players led the way for the Americans including Brendan Jester and Adam Apangalook who each ended the contest with a goal and an assist while Reed Link and Steven Goran netted one goal apiece and had two assists.
The final period saw a combined 9 penalties (out of 15 total) accounting for 30 minutes of penalty time.
Americans net minder Jake Stephan recorded 23 saves and allowed two third period goals. Alex Feese, lost for the second time in as many nights, made 29 saves on 34 shots for the Wyoming team.
NEXT CONTEST: The Bozeman Ice Dogs will come to Great Falls for the first time this season to face the Americans on Saturday, October 24th with the action set to begin from the Great Falls Ice Plex at 7:30PM.
Additional Media Coverage: Great Falls Tribune: October 23, 2015: Great Falls Tribune: Americans sweep series with Wild