The Badlands Sabres traveled to Great Falls, Montana, for a two-game series against the Americans and came away with a strong defensive performance in Friday night’s opener.
Wyatt Pink got the Sabres on the board first, burying a goal in the opening period with assists from Maddox Harn and Peyton Kostad. Badlands carried the 1–0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period saw plenty of back-and-forth action as both teams traded chances, but neither side could break through, leaving the score unchanged heading into the final frame.
Less than five minutes into the third, Patrick Gosselin extended the Sabres’ lead to 2–0, assisted by Harn and Rhylan Olson. With just over three minutes remaining, Great Falls pulled its goalie in an effort to spark a comeback, but the Sabres’ defense held strong. Goaltender Jackson Roethler stood tall between the pipes, turning away every shot he faced to earn the shutout.
The Sabres secured the 2–0 victory and will face the Americans again Saturday night in Game Two of the weekend series.
Looking ahead, Badlands will split next weekend with the Gillette Wild. The Sabres return home on Saturday, September 20, 2025, to take on Gillette at the Roosevelt Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
