(Photo credit by Ray Johnson and fans who traveled to Gillette)
Helena’s visit to Gillette may have broken their win streak, but it didn’t break their stride, bringing home three more points and taking that permanent top spot in not only the Frontier Division regular season standings, but also the whole NA3HL standings for the regular season.
Friday’s game had Helena’s puck in the back of Gillette’s net in less than 20 seconds into the game. That intensity continued through the game, keeping the Bighorns on top and taking the win with a 5-2 ending. Goals for Helena were scored by Patrick Crooks (Gavin Barr, Garrett Bogan), another by Patrick Crooks (Jack Lambert), Finn Theriault (Camden Cunningham, Gavin Barr), Joe Feamster (Tim Mattingly, Finn Theriault), and another by Tim Mattingly (Dylan Cunningham). Helena outshot Gillette with 56 shots on net, and goalie Jesse Schindel stopped 25 of Gillette’s 27 shots on his net.
Saturday’s game had both teams coming out strong, all through the game, ending in a 3-3 tie, and into a shootout which was won by Gillette, and had them celebrating a 4-3 win. Goals for Helena were scored by Cam Young (Kelton Chadwick, Ty Moore), Gavin Barr (Garrett Bogan, Camden Cunningham), and Patrick Crooks (Ty Moore, Gavin Barr). Jesse Schindel was in net again for the Bighorns, stopping 38 of the 41 shots on his net.
Helena will spend their last two regular season games playing the Bozeman Icedogs, Friday in Bozeman and Saturday on Helena’s home ice at Steed Arena. Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased at Play It Again Sports (general admission only), or online at Tickets for Helena Bighorns vs Bozeman Icedogs | vivenu for general admission and reserved seating. Doors open at 6:00pm, the puck drops at 7:05pn.