The Helena Bighorns pulled out a 5-4 (OT) overtime victory over the Gillette Wild on a clutch goal by Damon Hanson.
Helena came back from a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. The Bighorns was down 4-2 after a goal by Gillette\’s Darren Banks at 3:02 in the third period. Helena knotted things up at 4-4 on a goal by Rory Bock at 8:54 in the third period.
Sebastian Hansson had a great game for the Bighorns, netting two goals. Hansson scored on the power play at 8:05 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Helena and again while 8:47 into the third to make the score 4-3 Gillette.
Helena forced the Wild goalie Sean Kelley to work between the pipes, taking 52 shots. The Bighorns\’ defense was uncharacteristically lax during the game. Helena gives up 1.9 goal per game.
Helena also got a goal from Theo Campe as well. Other players who recorded assists for Helena were Nick Okada, Austin Loes, Matt Mohar, and John Petersson, who contributed one a piece and Dylan Webster and Austin Buckholtz, who each chipped in two.
Gillette\’s offense rang up 48 shots on the Bighorns\’ net. The defensemen of the Wild were also effective in Helena\’s zone, and came away with two goals.
Gillette was led by Moco Willis, who registered one goal and two assists. Willis scored 6:48 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Gillette. Brandon Miller provided the assist. Gillette additionally got points from Banks, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Gillette included Bryce Mitzal and Greg Sauers, who each put in one. In addition, Gillette received assists from Nick Mead, Will Fobair, Dalton McCann, and Andrii Istominov, who contributed one a piece.
Alek Lazarski made 44 saves for the Bighorns on 48 shots. Helena totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with six minors and one major and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Kelley rejected 47 shots on goal for the Wild. Gillette totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 2-for-6 on the power play.