GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Erik Gatson scored the game-winning goal with 37 seconds left remaining to lead the #3 University of Providence hockey team over #4 Montana State 5-4 during Senior Night at the Great Falls Ice Plex on Saturday.

The Argos (8-4) entered the third period up 3-2 on the Bobcats (14-8). The squad thought they sealed the game when Levi Anderson found the back of the net with 3:39 left to secure a two-goal lead. The Bobcats however responded with two quick goals in succession to tie the game at four with 2:13 remaining.

Thirty seconds later, Bobcat defender Logan Dejong was called for interference, giving the Argos an opportunity to convert on a power play to finish the game. The squad did just that, with Gatson scoring with 37 seconds remaining to secure the 5-4 win.

"I felt pretty good when went up 4-2," head coach Jeff Heimel said. "They scored a couple of big ones but I was really happy with how the guys responded. We went out and made a big play. I was excited when we got on the power play mostly because you can tell when your guys got it and are dangerous with the puck. It was a fitting end to a really special night."

The team scored a total of four power play goals on the evening. Reed Link, Cooper Page and Will Wright joined Anderson and Gatson as goal-scorers on the evening while Ty Alger, Leo Felt and Kyler Mack each paced the team with two assists. Jacob Fry got the start in the net, recording 42 saves.

"I thought we played great," Heimel said. "We knew that they are an offensive team and have good forwards. I thought we did a good job at limiting scoring opportunities. They pushed pretty hard in the third. I thought we were steady as far as defending them well and keeping them to the outside. Even though we weren't bringing a lot of scoring opportunities I thought we put ourselves in a very good position to win a hockey game."

The night also served as senior night for seven years on the team; Anderson, Felt, Fry, Gatson, Gabe Kwiatkowski, Link and Mack were all honored during a special ceremony. The group marks the first full recruiting class for the program, which was founded four years ago.

"This senior class is so special," Heimel said. "It was such a cool night. I was having a hard time not tearing up there for a little bit. I just tried to embrace the moment. Seeing all their parents there, it really hit me that these guys are actually leaving. I know it's not good-bye yet, but that was probably the first time where it hit me. It's hard to replace guys like that. Obviously we're doing our best to do a good job recruiting but there's something about that first group."

While the emotions were high all night, the team will have to regroup quickly. The two teams will have a rematch on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in Bozeman.

"We have to be disciplined and manage our emotions," Heimel said. "They're going to come out with a chip on their shoulder. Bozeman is a different building, different environment, different refs. We have to play our system. We can't let them run wild offensively. We kind of want to play a boring game and frustrate them a little bit. That's going to be a tough game for us but we're excited."