The Gillette Wild struggled against the Helena Bighorns allowing Gavin Cline to score a hat trick as Gillette crushed Helena 7-1 in a home game at Helena Ice Arena in Gillette. As well, Aaron Lachance came up big, stopping 17 of 21 shots throughout the game. The Helena Bighorns took the lead late in the first on a goal from Luc Cross and never looked back.
Ben Kottmeier did his part, adding 2 goals and Valary Dietz delivered for his team with 2 assists.
In the first, Kottmeier opened the scoring for the Bighorns with a goal at 0:28 with helpers from Rieger and Seitz. Cross deposited what turned out to be the game winning goal at 18:49 with an assist from defenseman Dietz.
During the second, Cline put in a goal at 4:39. Mitzel quickly followed with a goal at 4:53 with helpers from his linemates, Oberg and Stockert. Cline quickly followed with a goal at 6:22 with an assist from his teammate Seitz. Seitz scored a goal at 11:26 with a helper from defenseman Groskops. Cline deposited a goal at 18:37 with an assist from defenseman Dietz.
During the third period, Kottmeier put in a goal at 7:38 with helpers from his linemates, Seitz and Scheibel.
This loss brings the Gillette Wild’s record to (7-12-2-1).