Nationals head to Bozeman

After seeing their 26-game winless streak extended last week at home, the Glacier Nationals will attempt to end it this weekend, against one of the hottest teams in the Frontier Division.

The Nationals will play back-to-back games in Bozeman this weekend against the Ice Dogs. Both games will be played at 7:30 p.m. The matchup features Glacier, the last-place team in the division, against Bozeman, which is currently in fifth with 40 points, compared to three for the Nationals.

Making matters worse for the Nationals is the fact that outside of Gillette and Great Falls, no other team has won more in its last 10 games than Bozeman, which has won seven of its last 10.

The Bozeman offense has been productive of late and has been a key part of the Ice Dogs surge. The top goal scorer for Bozeman is Steven Nisbet,, who has scored 17 goals so far this season. Kadin Ferguson is right there with 15 goals, while Liam Miller and Carmon Teel both have 12. However, Bozeman also boasts two good options in net with Luke Olson, who has nine wins this season and Benjamin Sakaria, who has five.

Gavin Cline leads the way for the Nationals on the offensive end of the ice, as he leads in total points with nine goals and seven assists. Lindros Beard is next with 11 total points off five goals and six assists, followed by defenseman Zach Houck, who was one goal and nine assists. Two others that have contributed recently are rookies Hayden Moistner, who was three goals and four assists, as well as Kevin Bird, who has three of each.

In net, the Nationals will turn to either Brendan Schultz, who has a 5.92 goals against average this season or Will Langstaff, who has a goals against average of 7.62.

The Nationals and Ice Dogs will play tonight and Saturday night in Bozeman at 7:30.