Glacier earns a point at Havre Ice Dome

The Glacier Nationals were surely hoping for a victory this past weekend, but when you have gone six straight games without getting a point, something is better than nothing.

Last Friday night at the Havre Ice Dome, the Nationals earned their first point in the Frontier Division standings in six games with an overtime loss to Bozeman 4-3 in a shootout. However, the loss did extend Glacier’s winless streak to seven games and it became eight on Saturday when the Ice Dogs won again 4-2 in North American Tier 3 Hockey League play.

While Bozeman gets full credit in the standings for its win Friday, the Nationals essentially get credit for a tie as an overtime loss is viewed differently than a loss in regulation.

The start to the overtime thriller couldn’t have been better for Glacier, which grabbed a 1-0 lead on a goal by Collin Schieman. Yet, the Ice Dogs answered with a goal of their and at the end of the first period the score was tied 1-1.

In the second period, the Nationals continued to play inspired hockey. Dylan Michaud scored for Bozeman to give the Ice Dogs a 2-1 lead, but goals from Tyler McMahon and Logan Kraft put the Nationals in front 3-2 with just one period left to play.

Throughout the third period, the Ice Dogs battled for the tying goal and for much the third period, the Nationals were able to keep them at bay. With less than three minutes to play, Bozeman finally found the back of the net, tying the score at 3-3.

Neither team scored before the end of regulation or in the five minute overtime period. That sent the game to a shootout, both teams got three shots and Bozeman came out on top 1-0. Benjamin Sakaria got the win for Bozeman, while Mikhail Pahrebets was the losing goaltender for the Nationals.

On Saturday, Bozeman was looking to complete the sweep and get their fourth consecutive win over the Nationals in the process. In the first period, it looked like the win was never going to be in doubt as the Ice Dogs scored twice in the first 20 minutes to take a 2-0 lead.

Both teams were scoreless in the second period and at the beginning of the third period, the Ice Dogs still led 2-0. After going over 45 minutes without any offense, the Nationals finally broke through when Brett LeBeau scored to trim the lead to 2-1. Less than two minutes later, the game was tied thanks to a goal Logan Kraft of Glacier.

With the game on the line, the Nationals couldn’t finish. Bozeman scored twice before the game was over and outskated Glacier en route to a 4-2 victory. Josh Aycock got the win in net for Bozeman, while Pahrebets got the loss, despite making 43 saves.

The Nationals (2-13-3) will be back in action this Saturday night when they travel to Great Falls to take on the Americans in Frontier Division play.