Marvin Simmons had one goal and two assists to lead the Great Falls Americans to a 5-2 victory over the Gillette Wild.
Simmons got on the board by slotting home a short handed goal 4:15 into the third period to make the score 4-2 Great Falls. Gillette found itself down a man on Darren Banks\’s interference. Alex King assisted on the tally.
In a losing effort, the Wild were led by Trent Dillinger, who finished with two goals. Dillinger scored the first of his two goals short handed at 5:36 into the second period to make the score 1-1. King picked up the assist. Dillinger\’s next tally short handed made the score 2-2 with 5:46 left in the second period. A holding call on Bryce Mitzel put Gillette on the penalty kill. Lance Pennington provided the assist.
Great Falls forced Wild\’s goalies to work without much rest, totaling 33 shots and forcing 28 saves. Sean Kelley made 22 stops and Alex Feese made six. The Americans stifled the Wild\’s power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.
Great Falls additionally got points from Robert Kalata, who also had one goal and one assist, Zack Mese, who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Cody Page, who also registered one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Lucas Lomax also scored for Great Falls. Other players who recorded assists for Great Falls were Michael Kliment, who had one and Erik Gatson, who had two.
Gillette kept Great Falls\’ goalie busy throughout the game, and Evan Hauser made 34 saves on 36 shots. The Wild\’s penalty kill was ineffective, and let in three goals to the Americans\’ power play unit.
Great Falls incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Gillette totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 0-for-3 on the power play.