A six-goal first period deficit cost the Gillette Wild, which could not recover and fell to the Helena Bighorns, 12-1.

Helena got the win behind a great game by Corbin Belling, who had four goals and one assist. Belling got on the scoresheet 5:05 into the first period. He then added goals at 5:44 into the first, at 8:17 into the second, and at 15:10 into the second.

The Bighorns were led by goalie Alek Lazarski, who finished with 26 saves while allowing one goal. Despite the solid performance, Lazarski will actually see his goals against average rise, as it stood at 0.88 entering the contest.

Helena made Wild's goalies to work without much rest, getting 84 shots and forcing 72 saves. Nick Vittori made 39 stops and Sean Kelley made 33. The Bighorns put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Gillette to score on any of its five power plays. Helena surpassed its usual scoring output this season. This season, the Bighorns average 7.0 goals per contest.

Helena also got points from Dylan Webster, who also registered one goal and two assists, Christian Axelson, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Ben Henne, who also finished with one goal and two assists, and Logan Hawgood, who also had one goal and two assists. Helena also got a goal from Wyatt Winfield as well. In addition, Helena received assists from Chris Andre, who had two, Theo Campe, Brandon Rumble, Dillon Mershon, Kyle Baker, Devin Smith, and John Petersson, who each chipped in one, and Parker Olson and Logan Henne, who contributed three a piece.

The Wild's offense operated below they season average. Gillette puts an average of 4.6 pucks into the net per game.

Tyler Cavan also scored for Gillette. Other players who recorded assists for Gillette were Moco Willis and Taylor Motsinger, who each chipped in one.

Helena incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. The Wild ended with nine minutes in penalty time with two minors and one major.