Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Gillette Wild defeated the Helena Bighorns in a shootout 3-2 (3-1 SO).
The shootout lasted for nine attempts between the teams. Helena got a shootout goal fromJohnny Bonta. In addition to the clincher, Gillette got shootout goals from Mitchell McEwan andBryce Mitzel.
The Wild overcame a one-goal deficit to capture the victory. Gillette trailed 2-1 after a power play goal by the Bighorns' Brian Skillicorn at 9:24 in the third period. The Wild tied things up at 2-2 on a goal by Brandon Beard at 19:34 in the third period.
Gillette pulled out the victory even though it was hit with 18 penalty minutes.
Helena was unable to stop the Wild from sending pucks towards the net, and Gillette eventually piled up 38 shots on goal.
Gillette also got a goal from Mitzel as well. Other players who recorded assists for Gillette wereLance Pennington, McEwan, and Alex King, who each chipped in one.
The Bighorns stifled the Wild's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Helena's offense operated below its season average. The Bighorns put an average of 4.1 pucks into the net per game. Helena forced Gillette goalie Alex Feese to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with two goals.
The Bighorns were helped by Gavin Lubin, who registered one goal. Lubin scored 8:13 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Kyler Chartier provided the assist. In addition, Helena received assists from Nick Trefry, who had one and Brandt Miller, who had two.
Feese rejected 30 shots on goal for the Wild. Gillette registered zero goals on six power play opportunities. Helena's Grant Martens stopped 35 shots out of the 37 that he faced. The Bighorns incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.