Helena Bighorns Upend Glasgow Ice Dawgs

The Glasgow High School Ice Dawgs hosted the Helena Bighorns over the New Year's weekend for four games. The Dawgs dropped all four games by double digits and frustrations spilled onto the ice and into the penalty box for both teams. Though Glasgow boasts a number of talented skaters, the team has yet to mesh this season, with players in and out of the lineup.

The New Year's matchup against the Bighorns proved to be all Helena as Glasgow failed to mount an offense. Glasgow was outshot on the weekend by a 231-28 margin over the course of the four games. Helena skated away with a 16-0 win in the first game Friday evening, taking a 7-0 lead in the first period. The Bighorns added three goals in the second and six more in the third.

Helena had five penalties while Glasgow took three trips to the penalty box. Lex Fairclough served time for interference and Tatum Hansen was called for roughing in the first. Michael Hoyer was sent to the sin bin for tripping in the second period. Glasgow goalie Brayden Hansen started the game for Glasgow, but left midway through the first after facing nine shots. Aidin Wilkowski finished out the game for the Dawgs, facing 45 attempts on his net.

Saturday morning, the Ice Dawgs managed 12 shots on goal, but again fell to the Bighorns, 12-0. Helena took a 3-0 lead in the first period and added seven goals in the second period, including three power play goals. The Bighorns had two goals in the third to cement their victory. Brayden Hansen faced 54 shots on his net during 51 minutes of play.

Helena had four penalties in the game, while Glasgow was called for nine infractions. In the first period Kaden Kummerfeldt was called for interference and Hoyer for high sticking. T. Hansen, delay of game; Fairclough, roughing; Hoyer, roughing; Ian Peterson, tripping and Fairclough, checking from behind and misconduct, all served time in the second period. Trevor Dulaney was called for interference in the third.

Saturday evening saw the Ice Dawgs put up their only goals of the weekend. Hoyer put the puck in net early in the second period while T. Hansen put in a penalty shot late in the third period, his second attempt this year. The two Glasgow goals were not enough to stem the Bighorns scoring onslaught. Helena took the win by a 14-2 score. Wilkowski saw 47 shots on his net while his teammates put up seven attempts.

Helena was called for six penalties and Glasgow was cited for seven infractions. Zevin Kummerfeldt was called for roughing in the first period. Hoyer was called for tripping, Fairclough for cross checking, and Peterson for tripping, unsportsmanlike conduct, and elbowing in the second. Sam Knierim served time for checking from behind and misconduct in the third.

In the final match up between the two teams on Sunday morning, Helena again skated away with a win, 11-0. Brayden Hansen stood on his head in the first period for Glasgow, turning away 29 of 30 attempts on his home. He faced 76 total shots in the game. Helena found the back of the net six times in the second and four times in the third period.

Frustrations boiled over as several players departed the ice for the sin bin and the locker rooms. Helena was called for 11 penalties and Glasgow was called for 13, with five misconduct calls between them. Hoyer served two tripping calls and a checking from behind and misconduct call in the first. Peyton Hubbard was called for high sticking and Dulaney was called for interference, also in the first. Ian Peterson was called for interference and holding in the second, while Knierim was called for fighting and misconduct. Connor Koski served time for roughing in the third while T. Hansen was called for butt-ending and misconduct.

The High School team has a break in their schedule for the next two weeks, allowing the time to regroup and refocus on the remainder of the season. The team next plays Butte at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23.