NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photo.
By Kevin Scott
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RAPID CITY, S.D., January 17, 2026 — The Great Falls Americans (21-12-1-1) finished off their final out-of-state road trip of the regular season on Saturday when they battled the Badlands Sabres (17-12-2-2) for the second game in as many nights.
Five different Badlands Sabres scored after the first period on Saturday evening as the home team prevailed 5-3 over the Great Falls Americans to earn the weekend sweep in Rapid City, South Dakota. Gavin Marx, Matthew Cordis, Dayton Niedert, Sawyer Vann and Justin Reams each put the biscuit in the basket for the winning side. Great Falls scored once in each of the three periods with scoring drives by Tallon Caron, AJ Prioli and Wyatt Hanna.
Tallon Caron stopped the scoreless first period drought as Ethan Miller and Cooper Clouse assisted on Caron’s 13th goal of the season with 34 seconds remaining to put the Americans in front, 1-0 before the first intermission.
The Sabres outscored the Americans, 2-1 in the middle frame. Gaven Marx tied the score (1-1) when his slapshot sailed over Great Falls netminder Cole Murphy with 14 minutes remaining. Both NA3HL teams traded goals during the final two minutes. Matthew Cordis converted his seventh goal with Ethan Seanor and Sawyer Vann getting credit for the assists for the Sabres first lead. The Sabres stayed ahead for 34 seconds until AJ Prioli lit up the lamp that was set up by Jaxen Savage and Aidan Mulheran. The period saw 24 totalshots-on-goal being attempted by both clubs.
The South Dakota NA3HL franchise scored three goals (Dayton Niedert, Sawyer Vann, and Justin Reams) after the second intermission. Ethan Seanor tacked on two more assists while Rhylan Olson, Justin Reams, Dayton Niedert and Cole Schneider each added one to their season totals. Wyatt Hanna pulled the visiting Montana team to with two goals (5-3) with 2:20 left in regulation but the comeback was too late. Reid Lezubski and Jordan Murray tallied the final assists of the contest.
The Sabres offense outshot their rivals, 34-18 after the first period to finish with 43. Great Falls attempted 21 of their 29 shots in the first and second stanzas.
Badlands went 1-for-7 on their power play chances converting one goal in the third period by Sawywer Vann while the Americans were in the sin bin. Great Falls had four power play chances go unanswered.
Parker Kelly picked up his first win in two appearances against Great Falls on Saturday. The Crookston, Minnesota netminder made 26 saves to see his record improve to 7-2-0-0 in ten games. Cole Murphy (9-5-1-0) will have to wait another day to seek his tenth victory. He swatted away 38 shots in his fifth regulation defeat.
Back-to-back weekend losses for Great Falls and two Helena Bighorns victories over the Yellowstone Quake saw the Bighorns jump up to second place in the Frontier Division standings. Great Falls is now in third place and Badlands stays in the fourth spot.
NOTES: The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced the game schedule and times for their annual Top Prospects Tournament (TPT) coming in February 2026 in Plymouth, Michigan. Player rosters for the four TPT teams will be announced at a later date. Click here to view the news story.
The Great Falls Americans will resume their December 6th home game against the Bozeman Ice Dogs that was suspended due to an injury that occurred on the ice. The December home contest was stopped with 8:30 remaining in the third period with the Ice Dogs leading 2-1 and the Americans about to begin a five-minute power play. Fans are welcome to join us for the remainder of the game slated to begin at 2:00PM (MST) on Friday, January 23rd at the Great Falls Ice Plex that will be FREE to the public. Click here for the game update information.
Americans forward Cooper Clouse was the Frontier Division Star of the Week (First Star) for the week ending January 11, 2026. The Fargo, North
Dakota native totaled 3 goals and 2 assists in two wins (4-1 and 6-5) on Friday and Saturday, January 9-10 in Great Falls against the Sheridan (WY) Hawks. He has 17 goals and 41 assists in 33 games played.
AMERICANS E-NEWSLETTERS: The Americans have two email newsletters for fans to receive in their inbox this season. Kevin Scott, the Americans Media Coordinator, has an Americans E-Newsletter that you can get on Sunday’s during the regular season filled with game summaries, press releases, links, schedule, etc. Click here to subscribe (if you haven’t already).
Americans Owner Matt Leaf creates and sends out a weekly email called “Baldy’s Puck Drop” that features team news, player profile, sponsor information and lots of other tidbits relating to Americans hockey that is published on Thursday mornings. Click here to receive the weekly newsletter (if you haven’t already).
NEXT CONTEST: On Friday, January 23rd, Great Falls will resume their December 6th home game against the Bozeman Ice Dogs that was suspended due to an injury. The game, slated to start at 2:00PM (MST) will pick up with the Bozeman leading 2-1 with 8:30 remaining in the third period and the Americans on a five-minute power play. The conclusion of the game will be FREE to the public.
The Americans and the Butte Irish will face off on Saturday, January 24th at 3:35PM (MST) at the Great Falls Ice Plex. The Americans game will take place prior to the University of Providence Argonauts game with the University of Montana that will begin around 7:30PM (MST).
NATV will provide the coverage of both games.
Great Falls and Badlands will face each other for the last time during the regular season when both teams take to the ice on Saturday, January 17, 2026 starting at 7:05PM (MST) live on
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom (1101 7th Street South) is the place to be after Friday and Saturday night home games where the Americans invite their fans and supporters to their post-game dinner.
Buffalo Wild Wings, located at 17 Northwest Bypass in Great Falls, hosts the “Americans Watch Party” this season when the Americans are on the road. Fans are invited to get food and drinks and watch the game.
NATV is the NA3HL’s new streaming platform and is the place to catch all the action for fans that are unable to attend the home and away games this season. Click here to learn more about how to view any of the Americans home and away contests.
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com