In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Billings Bulls escaped with a 6-4 victory over the Gillette Wild.
No lead was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Ralfs Karelis at 13:59 of the second period.
Billings got the win behind a great game by TJ Theodosopoulos, who had two goals and one assist. Theodosopoulos scored the first of his two goals at 1:24 into the second period to make the score 2-2. Nick Rizzo assisted on the tally. Theodosopoulos\’ next tally made the score 6-4 Billings with 16 seconds left in the third period.
Gillette\’s power play was ineffective against the Bulls\’ penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.
Billings excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in six chances. The Bulls outdid their season average for goals scored. This season, Billings averages 3.6 goals per contest.
Billings additionally got points from Tristan Henrichs, who also had one goal and one assist. Billings also had goals scored by Steven Thompson and Reed Kaiser, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Billings were Ian Eshbaugh and Ian Wiljanen, who each chipped in one.
The Wild forced the Bulls\’ goaltenders to work between the pipes, finishing with 34 shots and forcing 30 saves. Cole Semchak made 22 stops and Alexander Meagher made eight. Gillette gave up more goals than its normal season average. The Wild are averaging 2.4 goals against for the season.
Gillette was helped by Darren Banks, who tallied one goal and one assist. Banks scored 53 seconds into the third period to make the score 5-4 Billings. Alex King picked up the assist. Gillette also got points from King, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Gillette included Austin Tennant and Brandon Beard, who scored one goal each. More assists for Gillette came via Trevor Ruiz and Tyler Reble, who contributed one each.
Billings incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. Alex Feese recorded 19 saves for the Wild. Gillette incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.