NPHL Media

BIGHORNS RALLY AGAIN TO TOP PHOENIX, IMPROVE TO 3-0 at WSHL SHOWCASE

Bighorns 4 Phoenix 1

Las Vegas, NV – The Helena Bighorns moved within one win of running the table at the WSHL College Showcase with a 4-1 over the Phoenix Polar Bears.

Phoenix entered the game as the most storied franchise in the WSHL. Their 8 League Titles and 1 National Championship are one of the great achievements in junior hockey over the last decade.  The Bighorns were looking to settle an old score as these two teams met in the 2005 USA Hockey National Tournament, which saw the ‘Bears top the ‘Horns 8-6.

In what was becoming a trend at the WSHL Showcase, the Bighorns played a tight checking opening period. Despite this, Phoenix struck first with a power play goal by Wyatt Pressick to take a 1-0 lead as the first half came to a close.

The second frame opened the way the other did for Helena as they sent a barrage of shots at Polar Bear netminder, Casey O’Conner. O’Conner stood his ground and the game looked like it might go the ‘Bears way until Helena finally converted with under 10 minutes to play. It was all the Bighorns needed to get their NORPAC leading-leading offence going as they put 3 more behind O’Conner as they cruised to a 4-1 win.

Chris Rinaldi led the way for the Big Blue, scoring twice. Also scoring for Helena were Anthony Petruzzelli and Evan Smith. for the Bighorns were Anthony Petruzzelli with two goals and Nick Hinsberg. Kameron Maxwell was solid in goal for the Bighorns, turning away 22 of the 23 shots he faced.

With the win, Helena improves its undefeated record at the Showcase to 3-0. The last test for the Bighorns is Sunday morning, when Helena faces the WSHL #2 seeded Fresno Monsters. Game time is 8:30 AM.

All WSHL Showcase games can be viewed on Fast Hockey. For more information, please see the Helena Bighorns website.