By Kevin Scott
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BOZEMAN, Mont., October 7, 2017 — The Great Falls Americans (6-0-1-0) have so far been successful in the win column this season. Coach Jeff Heimel’s squad has had victories over Helena (twice), Bozeman, Missoula and they took one out of their two games against Gillette.
On Saturday evening, they faced the Bozeman Ice Dogs, who they defeated 5-2 in the season opener back on September 15th in Great Falls. This would be the home opener for a winless Bozeman squad (0-6).
Payton McSharry and Michael Fary scored two goals apiece as they Great Falls Americans picked up their second road victory with a convincing 9-1 rout over the Ice Dogs at Haynes Pavilion on Saturday evening.
Great Falls took a 2-0 lead after the first two periods of play. Cody Dearing and Jens Juliussen, both from Anchorage, Alaska, chipped in goals for the Americans. Tanner Rath assisted for the fourth time this season on Dearing’s score while Luke Richesin and Cody Dearing set up the second points on Juliussen’s scoring drive. The Americans offense produced 34 shots before the second intermission and made Bozeman goaltender Parker Orchard work. The Ice Dogs took 21 shots.
It was Payton McSharry’s turn to score in the last period. He scored twice during the first five minutes to give the visiting team a 4-0 lead. Adam Vandenbos and Matt Janke each tallied two assists. The visiting team took advantage of the power play to put them ahead 5-0 as Weston Goodman’s pass to Matt Janke with 10:25 remaining in the contest. Bozeman finally got on the scoreboard and cut into the Americans lead (5-1) with a goal by Luke Steele. The power play was assisted by Nick DuLong and Austin Chamholm.
The next seven minutes saw Kyler Mack, Tanner Rath and two scores by Michael Fary to ensure the Great Falls victory. Matt Larson assisted twice followed by Michael Fary, Nate Simpson and Tanner Rath with one apiece.
Great Falls committed 8 of the 20 infractions for resulting in 37 minutes in the penalty box. Each team scored on a power play in the third period.
The Americans offense was stifling as they took 45 shots in the final stanza and finished the game with 79. Bozeman finished with 28.
Bryan Sharp picked up his second win as the Americans netminder. He stopped 27 of the 28 shots. Parker Orchard suffered the loss for Bozeman and gave up seven goals in the third period.
NEXT CONTEST: The Americans remain on the road next weekend (October 13th and 14th) when they make the trek to Cody, Wyoming to face the Quake in a pair of games.