By Kevin Scott
GILLETTE, Wyo., January 23, 2015 — The Great Falls Americans (28-6-1) earned five wins in their last six contests this season against the Gillette Wild (24-12-1). Back in December in Great Falls, the Americans split their two game home series with the Gillette franchise.
The Great Falls Americans tried to rally from a 3-0 deficit in the final period but fell short in a 3-2 setback at the Spirit Hall Ice Arena in Gillette, Wyoming on Friday night.
Gillette scored one goal apiece in the first and second periods to take a 2-0 advantage going into the final period of play. In the first period, the Wild received a power play goal from Dalton McCann seven minutes into the NA3HL contest. Lance Pennington and Brett Kramer provided the assists. Bryce Mitzel scored the lone goal of the second period with help from Darren Banks and Dalton McCann.
The Wyoming club led 3-0 early in the final period as Cade Boreing was able get the puck by Americans goaltender Lauren Massie. Darren Banks chipped in his second assist of the night and Mitchell McEwan added one. Great Falls denied Gillette the shutout by scoring twice in the last three minutes. Lucas Lomax scored on a short-handed unassisted goal with 3:07 left in regulation followed by Robert Kalata’s successful power play scoring opportunity with 39 seconds on the clock. Lucas Lomax and Cody Page assisted on the Americans second goal of the evening.
Gillette connected on two of their five power play chances while the Americans went 1-for-5.
Gillette and Great Falls combined for 11 infractions for 22 minutes of penalty time.
Goaltender Alex Feese swatted away 31 of the 33 shots he faced with both of his goals allowed coming in the final period. Great Falls’ Lauren Massie earned 33 saves to put him over 500 for the season.
NEXT CONTEST: The Great Falls Americans will remain in Gillette, Wyoming to face the Wild on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 7:05PM.
| Period 1 | Period 2 | Period 3 | Final | |
| Great Falls | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Gillette | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
First Period – 1, Gillette, Dalton McCann (power play) (Lance Pennington, Brett Kramer), 7:44.
Second Period – 2, Gillette, Bryce Mitzel (Darren Banks, Dalton McCann), 18:03.
Third Period – 3, Gillette, Cade Boreing (power play) (Mitchell McEwan, Darren Banks), 5:33. 4, Great Falls, Lucas Lomax (short-handed) (unassisted), 16:53. 5, Great Falls, Robert Kalata (power play) (Lucas Lomax, Cody Page), 19:21.
Shots on Goal – Great Falls 33, Gillette 36.
Power-play Opportunities – Great Falls 1-for-5, Gillette 2-for-5.
Attendance – 700