(Editor’s note: Report by Merrick Parnell, Northern Hockey News)
BOZEMAN and GREAT FALLS — Montana State University hockey completed a home-and-home series sweep against the University of Providence this past weekend.
Game 1 on Friday in Bozeman saw a thrilling 7-6 overtime win after Ryan Padden ripped a one-timer home past the Providence goalie just 30 seconds into the overtime period.
“We were on the power play working it around, Kody Thomas gave me a great look, I took a one-timer, and fortunately it went in,” Padden said. “This is a great win for the guys, because we need to be a team that finds a way to win hockey games.”
The overtime goal capped off a contest in which Providence stormed back to tie the game after being down 6-2.
Montana State then traveled to Great Falls on Saturday, and throttled the Argos 9-1. Thomas, Ross Hanson and Padden would record two-goal games each, while Mike Truex led the Bobcats with three assists.
“On Saturday night we stuck to our game plan for all three periods,“ said MSU head coach Dave Weaver. “We wanted to get the puck below their goal line and pressure their defensemen, and I thought we did a great job executing that game plan for 60 minutes.”
The win gives MSU a 5-3 record on the year. The Bobcats will next take on the Williston State College Tetons in North Dakota in a two-game series. The Tetons are coming off three straight losses in games against Providence and Minot State University.
