The Missoula Junior Bruins used three goals in the second period to pull away for an 8-3 win over the Butte Cobras in an North American Hockey League Frontier Division game Friday night at the Butte Community Ice Center. (Stats)

Misha Akatnov scored 37 seconds before the first intermission to put the Bruins up 3-2. Vadim Zubkov, Akatnov and Ty Dittman scored goals in the second period to give Missoula 6-2 lead heading into the third period.

The late first-period goal came after Butte’s Robin Bagley scored a pair of goals to tie the game at 2. After Akatnov and Trevor Prince goals for Missoula, Bagley found the net on an unassisted goal to the lead to 2-1. He tied it at 2 late in the first on an assist from Charles Blandin for a goal on the power play.

Butte’s Wyatt Haakenson battles for the puck with Missoula’s JIm Seielstad. (Bill Foley photo)

Cobra Robin Bagley celebrates a goal in the first period. (Bill Foley photo)

Butte’s Marshall Bragg passes the puck. (Bill Foley photo)

Butte Cobra Bryce Gould eyes the goal between Missoula defender Jim Seielstad and goalie Seth Daniel. (Bill Foley photo)

Butte’s Daniel Bazarin controls the puck as Missoula’s Wyatt Ploot closes in. (Bill Foley photo)

Cobra Bryce Gould scored an unassisted goal to open the third. Missoula, though, put the win away with goals by Connor Frey and Akatnov.

Akatnov ended with four goals and two assists in the win. Seth Daniel saved 34 shots to get the ‘W’ between the pipes.

Butte goalie Karl Zodda turned away 75 shots for the Cobras, who were outshot 83-34.

The Cobras are back at home Saturday night to take on the Great Falls Americans. The puck drops at 7:30. Butte will also host Helena on New Year’s Eve.