Bison Are Corralled, Missoula Takes 3-1 Win

Hello Maulers fans and welcome back to another post from Maulers Recapped! It has been quite a while since Missoula's last series and now teams are hunkering down and getting serious; it's playoff time. That's right as the 2013-2014 season is quickly coming to a close, players and teams all around the league are preparing for some serious off season action and buckling down for their last strides in attempt to claim one of the few playoff spots available. In the Maulers' case, they are in a three way battle with Southern Oregon and Seattle for the 4th and final playoff spot in the Northwest Division. Can they clinch it in time? Well a 3-1 win over Boulder, who is looking to claim one of the last spots in their respective Mountain Division, is a very good start at that dream. In their inaugural season, Missoula has seen tremendous change, harsh competition, and some very controversial opinions that followed over with the transition from the AWHL. If the boys can clinch the playoff berth it might show the fan base and the rest of the league that possibly, just possibly, this team is ready to commit and compete in this new league.

The first goal of the game was Boulder's last. On a power play at 7:09, #5 Ryan Fitzgerald was able to put the puck in with the help of  #17 Mark Kepple and #89 Chad Lopez. This was the last goal of the first period.

Jordan Wheatly picked up the pace by tying things over at 4:52. He had help from Max Rebholz and goaltender Sebastian Gronborg. Anders Nord broke the tie with a geno at 7:57. Assists went to Austin Azzinnaro and Erich Jaeger.

The last goal of the game was scored by Max Rebholz as he picked up his 2nd point of the night. Jordan Wheatly also picked up his second of the night with an assist at 12:28.

After the Bison were unable to get to Missoula as planned on Friday due to a frozen charter bus, the boys have fan appreciation day to look forward to on Sunday the 9th! Yes that's right free admission for everyone that walks through the doors of Glacier Ice Rink at 2:30 pm courtesy of First Security Bank! See you there!

Rebholz, Wheatly, Nord, and Sundgren at a local "Meet and Greet" for kids

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:

Boulder Bison - Karl Norris (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 2:39

Missoula Maulers - Josh Ingram-Rehm (Boarding) 2 Minutes, 5:12

Missoula Maulers - Austin Azzinnaro (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 10:17

Missoula Maulers - Joey Porco (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 14:02

Period 2:

Boulder Bison - Karl Norris (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 6:08

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 6:08

Boulder Bison - Sage Dugas (Holding) 2 Minutes, 9:10

Boulder Bison - Karl Norris (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 15:23

Missoula Maulers - Josh Ingram-Rehm (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 18:14

Period 3:

Missoula Maulers - Joey Sundgren (Holding) 2 Minutes, 3:05

Boulder Bison - Sage Dugas (Holding) 2 Minutes, 3:05

Boulder Bison - Casey Riccatone (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 6:09

Missoula Maulers - Tyler Zandhuisen (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 10:19

Boulder Bison - Kevin Behrens (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 13:58

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Interference) 2 Minutes, 18:56

Boulder Bison - Casey Riccatone (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 19:52

Boulder Bison - Casey Riccatone (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 19:52

Boulder Bison - Casey Riccatone (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 19:52

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 43 total

Boulder Bison - 23 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 0 for 7

Boulder Bison - 1 for 5

GOALTENDERS:

#1 Sebastian Gronborg for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 23 shots on goal 22 saves

#1 Brandon Yinger for Boulder Bison: 60 Minutes played, 43 shots on goal 40 saves