By Kevin Scott
| Box Score | Game Sheet | League Scoreboard | Americans Team Statistics |
MISSOULA, Mont., November 17, 2017 — In their three meetings this year, the Great Falls Americans (12-4-2-0) have had two victories over the Bruins from Missoula, Montana. All of them seen by the home fans at the Great Falls Ice Plex.
Tonight’s contest would be held at the Bruins home rink, the Glacier Ice Rink.
Misha Akatnov and Austin Dennison led the charge for the Missoula Jr. Bruins as they downed the Great Falls Americans 3-2 during NA3HL hockey action at the Glacier Ice Rink in Missoula on Friday evening in front of 700 spectators.
Just like in most of their games this season, Great Falls struck first with a goal by Trent Cowden, who was able to light up the lamp over Missoula’s Brian Thomas with 53 seconds left in the opening stanza. Great Falls’ lone power play opportunity came with assistance from Kody Thomas and Jens Juliussen.
Missoula would fight back and take a 2-1 lead before the second break. Misha Akatnov and Tyler Young each registered goals. Misha scored while the Americans were short-handed with assists by CJ Odlin and Austin Dennison. Young’s power play scoring drive with less than three minutes remaining in the period came with help from JJ Blondin and Josh Kirk.
The visiting American skated to a 2-2 tie thanks to a Nick Ramstad goal a few minutes into the final period. Matt Larson and Weston Goodman each added one assist apiece. Austin Dennison delivered the eventual game-winning drive that was set up by Misha Akatnov and Josh Kirk after the Americans score.
Great Falls took 20 of their 33 shots during the first two periods of action. After attempting 11 shots in the middle period, the Bruins finished with 23.
The visiting team accumulated just four infractions resulting in 8 minutes in the penalty box. The Bruins accrued 6 penalties.
Misha Akatnov and Austin Dennison provided the winning team with one goal and one assist apiece. Nick Ramstad and Trent Cowden added the two scores for Great Falls.
Brian Thomas, who stayed in the net for the entire contest, picked up the win by stopping 31 of the 38 for the Bruins. Bryan Sharp ended his night with 20 saves in the loss.
NEXT CONTEST: Great Falls will head back home to the Great Falls Ice Plex to face the Missoula Jr. Bruins on Saturday at 7:30PM.