By Kevin Scott
BILLINGS, Mont., December 31, 2013 — After competing in the AWHL Player’s Showcase where college scouts and coaches watched in Las Vegas two weeks ago, the Americans hoped to maintain their winning streak as regular season action resumed on the ice as they faced the Billings Bulls in the Magic City on New Year’s Eve.
Prior to the Player’s Showcase, the Great Falls Americans haven’t played a regular season hockey game since December 14th when they shut out the Bozeman Ice Dogs 7-0 in Bozeman.
The Great Falls Americans could not pick up their fourth straight victory and fell to the Billings Bulls 4-3 in overtime at the Centennial Ice Garden Arena in Billings. The Americans gave up the game-tying goal with 10 seconds left in regulation. Billings’ Christian Akita connected on the game winner with 3:19 left in overtime to hand the Americans their seventh loss of the season (21-6-1).
After a scoreless first period, Great Falls led 1-0 after Zachary Mese’s power play opportunity went by Billings goaltender Daniel Oordt. Dylan Garton and Max Kaercher assisted on the only goal scored for either team after two periods of action.
The Bulls scored on back-to-back goals in the third by Joseph Mata and Bryce Jensen to give the Bulls a 2-1 advantage. The visiting Americans bounced back with a pair of goal of their own. Doug Keller and Craig Buford each found the back of the net within 21 seconds with eight minutes remaining to regain the lead. Brady Christiaens, Zachary Mese and Lucas Lomax were credited with the assists on the Buford and Keller goals. TJ Theodosopoulos tied the AWHL contest at 3-3 with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
Theodosopoulos assisted on the game-winning goal for the Billings franchise as he found Christian Akita open for the score 1:41 seconds into the extra period to give the Bulls their tenth victory of the season.
Zach Mese led the Americans with a goal and an assist while the TJ Theodosopoulos added a score and two assists for the 10-15-1 Bulls. Tristen Heinrichs dished out two assists as well for Billings.
Billings goaltender Daniel Oordt allowed only three of the 31 shots he faced get by him. Despite the loss, Evan Hauser recorded 26 saves for Great Falls. The Americans incurred four of the nine total penalties on the night.
NEXT CONTEST: The Great Falls Americans will begin a two-game series in Wyoming against the Gillette Wild on Friday and Saturday, January 3 and 4th. The game in Gillette, WY will start at 7:30PM. The Americans do not return to home ice until January 11th when they face the Billings Bulls.
| Period 1 | Period 2 | Period 3 | 1st OT | Final | |
| Great Falls | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Billings | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
First Period – NO SCORING
Second Period – 1, Great Falls, Zachary Mese (power play) (assisted by Dylan Garton, Max Kaercher), 17:43.
Third Period – 2, Billings, Joseph Mata (Matt Myers, TJ Theodosopoulos), 6:15. 3, Billings, Bryce Jensen (Tristen Heinrichs, Sam Orth), 11:20. 4, Great Falls, Doug Keller (Lucas Lomax), 12:15. 5, Great Falls, Craig Buford (Brady Christiaens, Zachary Mese), 12:36. 6, Billings, TJ Theodosopoulos (Tristen Heinrichs, Ralfs Karelis), 19:50.
First Overtime – 7, Billings, Christian Akita (TJ Theodosopoulos), 1:41.
Shots on Goal – Great Falls 31, Billings 30.
Power-play Opportunities – Great Falls 1-for-4, Billings 0-for-3.
Attendance – 478
Box Score: Great Falls @ Billings
| Final – OT | Centennial Ice Garden Tue, Dec 31, 2013 7:30 PM MST |
 Great Falls 3 |
 Billings 4 |
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