Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Gillette Wild defeated the Billings Bulls in a shootout 5-4 (2-1 SO).
The two teams needed nine turns to complete the shootout. Billings' shootout goal was scored by Sawyer Scanlan. Gillette's other shootout goal was scored by Bryce Mitzel.
The Wild came back from a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. Gillette fell behind 3-1 after a power play goal by the Bulls' Reed Kaiser at 54 seconds in the second period. The Wild knotted things up at 4-4 on a goal by Kaiser at 17:10 in the third period.
Gillette was led by Kyle Reilly, who racked up one goal and one assist. Reilly scored 4:42 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Billings. Cade Boreing assisted on the tally.
Billings was unable to stop the Wild from sending pucks towards the net, and Gillette eventually piled up 48 shots on goal.
Gillette also got points from Mitchell McEwan, who also had one goal and one assist and Boreing, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Dalton McCann also scored for Gillette. In addition, Gillette received assists from Mitzel, Alex King, and Darren Banks, who each chipped in one.
The Bulls' offense rang up 34 shots on the Wild's net.
Billings additionally got points from Josh Pena, who also registered one goal and one assist. Billings also got a goal from Scanlan as well. Other players who recorded assists for Billings were Ian Wiljanen, who had two and Wolfgang Davis, Steven Thompson, and Nick Rizzo, who contributed one each.
Sean Kelley made 30 saves for Gillette on 34 shots. The Wild incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors. Billings' Cole Semchak stopped 43 shots out of the 47 that he faced. The Bulls incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.