The Gillette Wild almost clawed their way back from a three-goal deficit, but the Helena Bighorns managed to pull out a 4-2 win in the end.
Helena led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when the Bighorns\’ Parker Olson\’s scored short handed at 10:59 in the second period to put Helena up 4-1.
Corbin Belling was all over the ice for the Bighorns, as he had two goals in the win. Belling\’s tallies came on the power play at 11:23 into the first period to make the score 1-1 and 11:47 into the first to make the score 2-1 Helena.
Helena did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The Bighorns average 6.2 goals per game. Helena forced Gillette goalie Michael Kitts to work between the pipes, taking 53 shots.
Helena also got points from Olson, who also racked up two goals and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Helena were Ryan Webber, who had three and Theo Campe, Dylan Webster, Logan Henne, and Sebastian Hansson, who contributed one a piece.
The Wild kept the Bighorns\’ goalie busy throughout the game, and Austin Brihn made 44 saves on 46 shots. Gillette was ineffective while on the power play, as it was held to two goals off of 11 man advantages. The Wild struggled to stay out of the sin bin throughout the game as they finished the game with 24 penalty minutes for seven opposing power plays.
Gillette was led by Moco Willis, who racked up one goal and one assist. Willis scored on the power play 17:15 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Helena. The Wild earned a power play opportunity when Webster was put in the box for hooking. Bryce Mitzal picked up the assist. Gillette also got a goal from Will Fobair as well. In addition, Gillette received assists from Greg Sauers, who had two.
Helena incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. Michael Kitts made 49 saves for Gillette on 53 shots.