The Butte Cobras offense came alive on Saturday night when the team played host to the Great Falls Americans. Nick Bradshaw and Luke Schleusner each posted a hat trick helping Butte to a 9-3 victory.
Fans who showed up at the Butte Community Ice Center were thrilled from the opening puck drop. It took just 69 seconds for Bradshaw to get the Cobras on the board. Schleusner made it 2-0 at 9:53 in a game Butte were rarely challenged.
The high scoring duo added a goal each in the second while Cade Wessman and Patrick Crooks also found the back of the net. Butte led 6-2 at second intermission.
It was more of the same in the final frame as the Cobras made it 8-2 on goals scored by Casey Otis and Bradshaw. The Americans would get one back with a powerplay tally after a major penalty for boarding was whistled on Crooks. Not to be outdone, the Cobras responded in the final minute when Schleusner finished off his hat trick on a play set up by Bradshaw and Anthony Johnson.
🧢🧢🧢 Nick Bradshaw pokes the puck under the goaltender to complete his hat trick! Cobras lead Great Falls 8-2! #NA3HL pic.twitter.com/i5xaXjMg9m
— Butte Cobras (@Butte_Cobras) October 2, 2022
Bradshaw was named first star of the game with seven points. Schleusner (three goals, assist) and Wessman (goal, four assists) also were honored as the second and third stars of the game.
Goaltender Caleb Cross stopped 46 of 49 shots to earn the victory. His 3.00 GAA and .931 save% are best on the team who are 4-3-0-0 after seven games played.