Needing a save for the win, Powell junior Truett Carter dove to his left and reached both hands out to block Cody’s final shot and secure a 4-3 shootout win over the county rival Broncs after a deadlocked 0-0 regular time game.

“I got my hand on that (fourth) one. I knew I could dive well to that side so (Northwest keeper) Harvey (Bolland) told me to dive to the other side, and I did,” Carter said. “We beat Cody so that’s cool … All the glory goes to God, he was the one who equipped me to do it.”

POWELL 0, CODY 0 (4-3 SO)

Physical play exemplified the night between the two Park County rivals throughout, as the Panthers (4-2 overall, 2-0 3A West) and Broncs (1-2 overall, 1-1 3A West) battled for positioning early.

Cody found itself with the better chances for much of the first half, but each opportunity found itself going wide or in the hands of Powell keeper Ryan Rivas.

Powell’s one opportunity came on an opportunity from Chance Franks, but it went just past the post as the teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the half.

“I honestly thought Cody played a better first half. We were defending, defending, defending, so all credit to the back line and to my keeper (Rivas),” Gilliatt said. 

In the second half, the Panthers found opportunities more consistently, but a finished product went by the wayside throughout much of the half.

Cody found itself a goal with 4:30 minutes left after a scramble in the box, but an offside call on the final touch ruled the goal out and kept the scoreline even until the final whistle.

“I did feel the momentum shift in the second half. I was hoping it would result in a goal, in the last 5-8 minutes I felt like it was going to pens,” Gilliatt said. “I’m glad that one was offside. It would’ve been a rough way to lose.”

After Rivas kept a clean sheet during the contest, Carter warmed up late and stepped into the net to compete in the penalties.

“Harvey was warming me up so honestly I wasn’t too worried since he is an amazing keeper from the United Kingdom,” Carter said. 

Putting Carter in net was no spur of the moment decision.

“That was premeditated,” Gilliatt said. “Ryan in active play has been a little more consistent, Truett makes some incredible saves though … All the credit to Ryan he made some great saves that kept us in the game but everybody plays a role … That’s the mentality of the team.”

Powell went first, as Will Jackson slotted it home and made it 1-0.

Cody followed, but its first opportunity hit the outside of the post and bounced wide right of the goal.

Powell’s next taker was Cody Fisher, who also slotted it home to make it 2-0 Powell.

The Broncs followed, and answered the second time around to make it 2-1.

Franks stepped up for the third attempt, but pushed it wide left and gave the visitors an opportunity to tie.

Cody scored, and the penalties were deadlocked heading into the fourth round at 2-2.

Ethan Frame stepped up and put his home, with each kick adding more pressure.

Cody’s fourth kick went to the right of Carter, who got a hand to it but still went into the net to keep it tied heading into the fifth and final round before sudden death.

Parker Williams was the final taker for Powell, and he slotted home what would prove to be the game winner after Carter’s save followed.

The win gave Powell all three points for the contest, but Cody received a point for the tie in regulation towards the conference standings.

BRIDGER VALLEY BATTLES

Powell now heads out on a long road trip after it was originally scheduled to host this weekend, starting a four game stretch away from home.

That will begin at Mountain View (2-1 overall, 2-1 3A West) to take on the Buffalos at 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Panthers then go to Lyman (0-4 overall, 0-1 3A West) on Saturday to take on the Eagles at noon.

“Mountain View might be a little similar to Cody, that field is really a factor,” Gilliatt said. “Lyman will always play tough, they are different from Cody or Mountain View as far as how they attack or defend.”