RAPID CITY, S.D., February 8, 2024 — The #5 Badlands (SD) Sabres (15-17-3-3) and the #4 Great Falls Americans (18-18-0-1) have only had two prior encounters before Thursday’s NA3HL contest in Rapid City, South Dakota.
In Great Falls on the weekend of September 29-30, which was the fifth and sixth games of the 2023-24 season for the Americans, Great Falls played host to Badlands in a pair of games in which each team came out on top once. The Americans edged the Sabres, 4-3 on September 29th. Both teams were tied (2-2) atter the first forty minutes before Great Falls outscored Badlands 2-1 during the final period of regulation. On the final day of September, the Sabres avenged their loss the night before and defeated the home team, 3-1. Americans standout Dmitri Kuleshov added a first period tally, but Badlands offense scored three unanswered over the final two periods for the weekend split.
Sebe Perez and Dmitri Kuleshov combined to score all four goals as the Great Falls Americans picked up a much-needed 4-2 road victory over the Badlands (SD) Sabres during Thursday’s NA3HL action at the Roosevelt Park Ice Arena in Rapid City, South Dakota. Cal Laggis assisted on two scoring plays for Great Falls.
A pass from Ty O’Bey and Cal Laggis to an open Sebe Perez put the Americans ahead 1-0 4:53 into the opening period. Both offenses combined for 22 shots-on-goal but only the goal by Perez was successful. Each team had two unsuccessful power play opportunities.
After the first intermission, Dmitri Kuleshov scored quickly (30 seconds) to increase the lead to 2-0. His 24th season goal was assisted by Hayden Grabas and newcomer Garren Narvaez. Sebe Perez collected his second score of the game with 5:25 remaining with Zac Orwig and Cal Laggis assisting. Zach Vockler prevented the shutout for the Sabres when he scored with eight seconds left with Ian Vanelli and Dylan Woolstenhulme setting up the first scoring drive for the host team. Each squad acquired 14 shots.
The Sabres pulled to within one goal (3-2) two minutes into the final period when Brooks Roaldson put the puck into the goal. The Americans put the finishing touches on their 18th victory of the season when Dmitri Kuleshov put the biscuit in the basket for the second time tonight on an empty net score with 18 seconds left in the contest. Luke Pizzey and Garrett Driscoll helped ensure the victory with their assistance.
Eight minor penalties dotted the scoring summary sheet after Thursday contest concluded. The Americans recorded three minors and went 1-for-4 on their power play opportunities. The Sabres were whistled for five minors while scoring on one of their three power play chances.
Badlands outshot the visiting team, 13-6, in the third frame to end the night with 37 saves. Great Falls amassed 26 of their 32 saves before the second intermission.
Kaden Ryhder won his first game in the month of February (11-9-0-1) by stopping 35 shots and allowing one second and third period score by the opposition. Badlands netminders Easton Eriksmoen (28 saves) and Hunter Oger both saw action, but Eriksmoen was credited with his eighth regulation loss (9-8-1-0).
When the Americans lost both games to the Helena Bighorns (36-2-0-0) last week, Badlands easily defeated the winless Yellowstone (WY) Quake (0-36-3-0) and overtook the Montana team for fourth place in the Frontier Division standings. After Friday’s victory over the South Dakota NA3HL franchise, Great Falls is back in fourth place (at least for the time being).
NOTES: Forward Dmitri Kuleshov and goaltender Kaden Ryhder received Honorable Mention honors for the weekly “NA3HL Stars of the Week” for the week ending February 4, 2024, for their play last week against the Helena Bighorns.
