The Bozeman Icedogs tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Gillette Wild held on for a 3-2 victory.
Gillette took a 3-1 lead during the second period, only to have Bozeman storm back on a Coleton Anderson goal 18:33 into the third period to pull to one goal down.
Bryce Mitzel had two goals to lead the Wild to victory. Mitzel found the back of the net 1:17 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Gillette and again while 17:09 into the first to make the score 2-0 Gillette.
Gillette's offense rang up 42 shots on the Icedogs' net.
Gillette also got a goal from Alex King as well. In addition, Gillette received assists from Rob Lantz, Mitchell McEwan, and Kyle Reilly, who each chipped in one.
Bozeman was helped by Kyler Chartier, who racked up one goal. Chartier scored on the power play 7:55 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Gillette. The Icedogs had gotten the advantage when the Wild's Darren Banks was sent off for checking from behind. Gunnar Mogck picked up the assist. Other players who recorded assists for Bozeman were Brock Loser and Steven Nisbet, who contributed one each.
Alex Feese recorded 27 saves for Gillette. The Wild incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors. Bozeman's Denijs Romanovskis stopped 39 shots out of the 42 that he faced. The Icedogs incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors.