HELENA– The Helena Bighorns are one game away from a trip to Illinois after Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Great Falls Americans in Helena.
Late-season acquisition Ian Zaleski opened up the scoring by putting back a rebound near the middle of the first period and Elliot Plourde put one home before the first 20 minutes were up. Darren Donovan added two of his own in the second, but Great Falls pushed back netting two goals near the close of the second period.
Nine minutes into the third period, the Americans cut the Bighorns’ lead to one on a power-play goal by Payton McSharry, but an empty-netter sealed the deal for Helena to clinch the first game of the series.
Game 2 will be played at the Great Falls Ice Plex on Friday, March 22 starting at 7:30 p.m.
