By Tribune Sports Staff
September 21, 2018
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Payton McSharry scored a hat trick and and goaltender Drew Scites registered a shutout as the Great Falls Americans opened their home season Friday night with a 6-0 victory over the Yellowstone Quake before a crowd of more than 1,000 at the IcePlex.
The Americans, led this season by first-year head coach Greg Sears, produced 22 shots and came away with two goals during the opening period. Matt Janke and Jens Juliussen created the play that provided McSharry’s first goal. The Alaska native secured his third goal in four games during the final 75 seconds.
McSharry’s scoring drive was followed by Alexi Suchomlin goal with 12 seconds remaining to give the home team a two-goal lead going into the first intermission. Jack Olson added the assist. Great Falls put up 22 shots against the Yellowstone while holding the Quake to 7.
The Americans received another score by McSharry midway through the middle period. Matt Janke gathered his second assist while Great Falls native Braxton Lorenz picked up his first tonight on the Americans power play scoring drive.
Five minutes later, Great Falls lit up the lamp again. Sean McLean, who came to the Americans from Australia, extended the lead for the host team (4-0) with help from newcomer Brindimere Beard. Great Falls added 18 shots in the period for a total of 40 after forty minutes of ice time.
The Quake took five shots without finding the back of the net. Payton McSharry could not be contained as he scored his third goal of the contest two minutes in the final period. Garrett Peterson and Jens Juliussen helped set up the scoring drive. Garrett Peterson rounded out the scoring for the Americans off the pass from Levi Mese and Jens Juliussen. Great Falls created an additional 25 shots to finish the sixty-minute contest with 65.
Great Falls improved to 4-0. Scites, who made 17 saves, is 3-0.
Great Falls will play host to Butte next Friday night at the IcePlex. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
Story Courtesy: Great Falls Tribune: McSharry stars as Americans win home opener (September 21, 2018)