Saturday Scores: Wild, Bighorns cruise to sweeps in openers
Helena forward Andrew Deskin had the game-winning goal in both wins this past weekend.
Bozeman 1 @ Gillette 6 - Anthony Foster and Jace Johnson each potted a pair of goals as the Gillette Wild took care of the Bozeman Icedogs by a score of 6-1. Adam Severson had himself a three point night, tacking on a goal and assisting on two others. Connor Wendell also tickled the twine for the Wild in the win. Dominic Hite was nearly perfect as he made 35 saves. Braden Koiha had the lone goal for Bozeman. Cam Milewski and Branigann Stalder combined to mae 89 saves for the Icedogs.
Helena 4 @ Badlands 0 - The Helena Bighorns finished off the sweep of the Badlands Sabres with a big 4-0 win. Gabe Swanson picked up the shutout as he denied all 11 opportunities thrown in his direction. Andrew Reskin and Logan Powers netted goals in the opening frame for the Bighorns. Braden Cunningham pick up his first of the season in the second period before Harlen Wojtusik got on the scoresheet for the first time this year in the third period. Zach Broxterman was sensational for the Sabres as he made 56 saves in the loss.
Rochester 7 @ St. Louis 2 - Austin Meers lit the lamp twice and added an assist as the Rochester Grizzlies trounced the St. Louis Jr. Blues by a score of 7-2. Spencer Klotz had a goal and two helpers in the win for Rochester. Zachary Sweitzer, Erik Hernborn, and Brady Strand all found the back of the net for the Grizzlies. Kaleb Bents stopped 31 shots to pick up his first win of the season. Jacob Heuerman and Brady Burke picked up goals for St. Louis in a losing effort. Ian Zeumer stopped 49 shots for the Jr. Blues.
Milwaukee 1 @ Peoria 2 - James Dunewald’s power play goal in the third period was the difference as the Peoria Mustangs outlasted the Milwaukee Power 2-1. Ethan Chesney scored his third goal of the season in the win for the Mustangs. Bryce Garber netted the only goal for the Power in the loss. Cam Pendleton earned his first win as a Mustang, stopping 23 of 24 he faced. Connor Carroll was really good in goal for Milwaukee as he denied 29 of 31 Peoria opportunities.
Northeast 3 @ New Jersey 2 (OT) - Matthew Nuzzolilo’s second goal of the game came in overtime as the Northeast Generals edged the New Jersey Titans 3-2. Braeden Kennedy had a shorthanded goal for the Generals, it was his fourth goal of the season. Antonio Vidal and George Hinds potted the goals for New Jersey. Ian Kangas grabbed the win in the blue paint for Northeast as he made 36 saves. Antonio Vaccaro took the tough loss despite making 57 stops.
New Ulm 4 @ Minnesota 3 - The New Ulm Steel overcame a 2-0 deficit to knock off the Minnesota Loons by a score of 4-3. Zach Dalzell, Gus Cantrell and Conner Souza all scored goals in the middle frame for New Ulm. Macrae Gordon’s power play goal in the third period proved to be the game winner. Holden Pratt notched a pair of goals for the Loons while Dmitri Kuleshov picked up his third goal of the weekend. Dixon Ehlers grabbed the win in net for New Ulm as he made 32 saves. Keaton French was stuck with the loss for Minnesota as he made 25 saves.
Sheridan 1 @ Yellowstone 4 - The Yellowstone Quake picked up their first win of the season as they took down the Sheridan Hawks 4-1. Brayson Bennett led all skaters with three points on the night, all coming via assists. Benjamin Kluza and Teagan Scheurer each had a goal and an assist on the night for the Quake. Wyatt O’Donoghue and Sebe Perez also picked up goals for Yellowstone. The only goal from Sheridan came off the stick of Ryan McKenna. Edvin Falkenstrom earned the win in between the pipes as he made 22 saves. Jack Wood took the loss in goal for Sheridan, stopping 30 shots.
Butte 2 @ Great Falls 3 - The Great Falls Americans picked up a close win in their season opener as they snuck by the Butte Cobras with a 3-2 victory. Jace Thompson got the scoring started for Great Falls just three minutes into the game. Ben Cremers followed that up with a power play goal of his own early in the second period. Tamer Billman would bring Butte within one goal with his first of the season but it was Noah Osiowy responding for Great Falls to give them back their two goal lead. Patrick Crooks would score for Butte in the third but that’s as close as they would get as Josh Koziol made 65 saves to preserve the win for Great Falls. Caleb Cross stopped 45 shots in a tough loss.
