Hockey: Nationals stop Blazers

WHITEFISH — A pair of second-period goals were enough to propel the Glacier Nationals to a 4-2 win over the Bellingham Blazers Saturday at Stumptown Ice Den.

The win completed a season sweep against Bellingham (12-14-1), which lost to Glacier (13-4-1 NORPAC, 14-12-1 overall) in each of their three previous meetings this season.

Three of the Nationals’ four goals were scored by defensemen as Travis Redman netted two goals, including the game-winner, and Kyle Watne scored on the power play.

Forward Sebastian Adnell had Glacier’s other goal. Defenseman Brandon Vitale and forward Austin Givens each tallied two assists.

Redman and Watne scored consecutive goals in the first period to give the Nationals a 2-0 lead, but Bellingham’s Mason Wade and Adam Papayoanou each found the back of the net to even the score before the first intermission.

Redman scored the tiebreaker on the power play 6 minutes and 56 seconds into the second period and Adnell added an insurance goal at the 14:28 mark.

Nationals goaltender Tyler Huberty shut out the Blazers in the second and third periods, stopping 16 shots in the second and 12 in the third. He finished with 41 saves.

Glacier travels to Cody, Wyo., Friday and Saturday for a pair of AWHL games against the Yellowstone Quake (21-9-2).

Its next NORPAC contest is Jan. 25 against the Eugene Generals at Stumptown Ice Den.

Bellingham 2 0 0 — 2

Glacier 2 2 0 — 4

Scoring summary

First period

Gla - Travis Redman (assists Brandon Vitale, Daniel Roe)

Gla - PP Kyle Watne (Vitale)

Bel - PP Mason Wade (Cody Rich, Derek Davis), 12:21

Bel - Adam Papayoanou (Kristjan Toivola), 19:29

Second period

Gla - PP Redman (Sebastian Adnell, Austin Givens), 6:56

Gla - Adnell (Givens), 14:28

Team statistics

Shots on goal - Bellingham 43, Glacier 41. Saves - Bellingham 37 (Cody Foster), Glacier 41 (Tyler Huberty). Power plays - Bellingham 1-9, Glacier 2-5. Penalty minutes - Bellingham 26, Glacier 25.