The Great Falls Americans\’ Zachary Mese scored 2:50 into overtime to beat the Gillette Wild, 3-2 (OT).
Great Falls was sparked by Mese, who tallied one goal.
The Americans put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Gillette to score on any of its three power plays. Great Falls forced the Wild goalie Sean Kelley to work between the pipes, taking 38 shots.
Great Falls also had goals scored by Max Kaercher and Johnathan Carpenter, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Great Falls were Dylan Garton, Lucas Lomax, Steven Butts, Erik Gatson, and Brady Christiaens, who contributed one a piece.
Gillette was helped by Andrii Istominov, who registered one goal. Istominov scored 11:56 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Tyler Reble assisted on the tally. Bryce Mitzal also scored for Gillette. In addition, Gillette received assists from Dalton McCann and Jonathan Kasdorf, who each chipped in one.
Erik Powell recorded 24 saves for the Americans. Great Falls incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. The Wild\’s Kelley stopped 35 shots out of the 38 that he faced. Gillette incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.