The Gillette Wild swept the weekend at home, going 2–0 against the Butte Irish with a dominant win Friday night and an exciting comeback Saturday at Spirit Hall. It was a memorable weekend as the Wild debuted their 15-year anniversary jerseys and featured a familiar face, Kylo Stinson, in the lineup along with another hometown player, Leo Eiland.
Friday Night Recap
Friday’s contest marked the highest-scoring performance by the Wild this season and showcased an offensive display not seen in several weeks. Butte opened the scoring 5:25 in the first period when Jones found the back of the net. Gillette answered less than three minutes later as Brady McGinn recorded the Wild’s first goal of the night.
Gillette continued to pour on the pressure, skating off the ice after the first period with a 3–1 lead. The second period slowed in pace, with only one goal coming from Evan Slama to extend the Wild’s advantage.
Gillette regained their rhythm in the third period, adding four more goals to secure an 8–1 victory and close out a dominant performance on home ice.
Saturday Night Recap
Saturday’s matchup carried a much different tone, with Friday’s intensity spilling over into a physical, chippy contest. Butte capitalized on early miscues and low Wild synergy, building a 2–0 lead through two periods.
The Wild responded with determination in the third period. Schmidt opened the scoring for Gillette just 3:58 into the final frame, sparking a momentum shift. Rocco Corl followed with a goal to even the score before Schmidt recorded his second of the period. Balek then added the eventual game-winning goal, giving Gillette a two point lead late in the period.
With two minutes remaining, the Wild held a 4–2 advantage. The closing minutes brought high energy, loud crowds, and several scrums that capped off an electric night at Spirit Hall, despite the penalties that followed.
The Wild will be back at Spirit Hall next weekend, the 23rd & 24th, to face the Yellowstone Quake.
Friday Nights Stars
3rd Star – Riley Schmidt
2nd Star – Donovan Balek
1st Star – Evan Slama
Saturday Nights Stars
3rd Star – Dylan Peterson
2nd Star – Donovan Balek
1st Star – Riley Schmidt