Quake Strengthen Hold on NorPac Standing With Wins

by Richard Reeder of Cody Enterprise

The Yellowstone Quake won two of three games during a road trip last weekend and, in the process, their hold on second place in the Nor Pac standings.

The Quake defeated Bozeman 6-4 last Friday, lost to Missoula 3-2 on Saturday, but bounced back to defeat the Maulers 4-1 on Sunday.

Helena, 36-4, continues to lead the America West Division followed by the Quake, 29-12, Missoula, 28-12, and Billings, 19-22.

Against the Ice Dogs on Friday, the Quake spotted Bozeman a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes as Dustin Simmons and James Lowrey scored for the home team.

But the Quake battled back with a power-play goal from Patrick Ryan with an assist from Kory Sosnowski and Jake Doty.

The Quake tied the game with another power-play goal from Mathew Schulz off a pass from Nick Kent.

The Ice Dogs regained the lead with a goal from Alex Gutierrez, but the Quake tied it going into the first intermission off a goal from Tyler Roberts with an assist from Matthew Tackett.

In the second period, Chris Rinaldi gave the Quake the lead with a power-play goal off an assist from Sosnowski and Doty.

A minute later, Rinaldi scored again off a pass from Mathew Peddie.

The Ice Dogs cut the lead with a goal by Garret Guthrie before the second intermission.

In the third period, Kent ended the scoring with a goal off a pass from Rinaldi.

On Saturday, the Maulers grabbed the first-period lead on a goal by Michael Zook.

In the second period, Rinaldi tied the game with a power-play goal off a pass from Doty.

Schulz gave the Quake the lead with a goal on an assist from Rinaldi and Sosnowski.

But Missoula tied the score on Zook's second goal.

The Maulers won the game in the third period on a goal by Gary Astalos.

On Sunday, the Quake took the first-period lead on a goal by Alex Vasquez off an assist from Rinaldi and Sosnowski.

The Maulers tied the score in the second on a Martin Dubec goal.

In the third period, Schulz gave the Quake the lead off a pass from Alex Odea.

Doty scored a goal off a pass from Rinaldi and Sosnowski, and Rinaldi ended the scoring off an assist from Andrew Lord.

The Quake return home for a three-game homestand this weekend.

They host Butte at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, and Helena at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7.

Quake Recruiting:

If you are interested in playing Jr. A hockey for a great team first organization, please contact head coach Sean Hogan at shogan@yellowstonequake.com. Recruiting for the 2010-2011 season has already begun!

Home game webcasts provided by TCT. For technical assistance, please call 1-800-354-2911.