By Ted Ripko
Basin Radio Network
For the second straight day, the Gillette Wild had to come from behind to take down Missoula. On Saturday the Wild beat the Maulers 5-3 and on Sunday at Spirit Hall Ice Arena they forced a game six on the road with a 4-2 win after trailing 1-0 early in the first period.
Missoula jumped out early on a power play goal by Brett Matthews, but the Wild added their own power play goal about midday through the second period as Stanislav Izvekov tallied his fifth goal of the playoffs on assists by Matt Rose and Andrew Lillard. The Maulers scored their final goal of the game about 3 minutes later on another power play goal. From that point on the Wild defense and goalie Nick Vittori, who earned his second win in as many days, held Missoula scoreless. Vittori stopped 41 of the 43 shots he faced.
Jason Forney tied the game at 2 about midway through the final period on assists by Casey Moneer and Adam Pecht. Rose then scored the ultimate game winner just over two minutes later for the Wild second power play goal of the game. Gillette finished the game 2 for 6 on the power play while Missoula was 2 for 4. The final goal of the game came off the stick of Trent Dillinger as Moneer assisted on his third goal of the game.
Gillette must now return to the road for game six against the Maulers to try and force a winner take all game 7. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. on Friday from Glacier Ice Rink.