Missoula beat Helena, 3-1, in a contest where the winning goal was scored in the first period but the game remained close throughout.

Zach Paisley provided Missoula with the game-winning tally when he scored 5:54 into the the first period. Missoula had gotten the advantage when Helena's Thomas Emery was sent off for elbowing. Corey Schafer picked up the assist.

Helena was stymied by Missoula netminder McKinlee Baum, who stopped 32 shots during the victory. The solid play of Baum will be reflected in his goals against average, which pre-game was 2.12.

Missoula was paced by Brett Mathews, who tallied one goal and one assist. Mathews scored 17:25 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Missoula.

Missoula put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Helena to score on any of its three power plays.

Oscar Bjorkander also scored for Missoula. In addition, Missoula received assists from Alan Maul, who had one.

Helena's offense rang up 33 shots on Missoula's net.

Helena was led by Theo Campe, who scored the team's only goal. Campe scored 1:35 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Missoula. Devin Smith provided the assist.

Missoula incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Helena's Jett Salinas stopped 16 shots out of the 19 that he faced. Helena incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.