Helena eliminated the Great Falls Americans from their playoff spot with back-to-back wins, taking the Friday victory in Helena and Saturday’s win in Great Falls.
Friday’s game was an easy match for the Bighorns, dominating the Americans 6-1. Goals for Helena were scored by Finn Theriault (Jason Hammett, Tim Mattingly), Ty Moore (Joe Feamster, Trey Pajera), Garrett Bogan (Trey Pajera, Cam Young), Braden Cunningham (Dylan Cunningham, Gavin Barr), Ty Moore (Mason Eggen, Jason Hammett), and Tim Mattingly (Mason Eggen, Jason Hammett). Bighorn’s goalie Jesse Schindel stopped 21 of the 22 shots against him in net.
Saturday’s game was a bit more challenging, and Great Falls put up a fight to keep that playoff spot. The first goal put the Americans on the board, but eventually Helena tied it up with a penalty shot. Helena’s second goal came late in the second period, keeping them one goal ahead of the Americans for most of the third period, until scoring an empty netter late in the third, giving them a 3-1 win. Helena’s goals were scored by Jakob Losch (unassisted), Finn Theriault (Ty Moore, Cai Robinson), and Braden Cunnigham (Mason Eggen, Gavin Barr). Jesse Schindel stood in net again for the Bighorns, saving 17 of the 18 shots against him.
Helena has now moved on to the Frontier Division Finals and will face the Gillette Wild for a fight to win the Frontier Division Championship and continue their quest for the Fraser Cup. Game one will be held on Wednesday, March 13th in Gillette, game two will be held in Helena on Friday, March 15th, and Saturday, March 16th in Helena if game three is needed.
Tickets for game two in Helena are now for sale but going fast! You can purchase your tickets for game two online here Tickets for Helena Bighorns vs Gillette Wild | vivenu