NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Americans Staff
GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 11, 2026 — Xander Troyer, a Great Falls, Montana native playing in his first contest with the Americans, scored the first goal of the 2026-27 season nine minutes into the first period. Wyatt Rust and Colton Bacon, both returners from last season’s team, each assisted to put the Americans ahead, 1-0. Troyer’s score was the only score made by either squad during the first twenty minutes of action. The home team attempted 19 shots and held the visiting team from Wyoming to 7.
Great Falls added a second goal in the middle stanza. Austin Gibson, one of five players from the state of Minnesota on the Americans roster this season, earned his first assist on a score by Reid Lezubski to increase the lead by the Montana NA3HL team. Lezubski, a returning forward from Canada, scored 16 goals in 44 games last season for head coach Greg Sears’ team. Jase Troyer received the secondary assist on the Americans second scoring opportunity.
The Americans held a 2-0 advantage for the first 19 minutes of the third frame until Xander Troyer took advantage of Yellowstone pulling their goaltender in favor of adding another offensive weapon in the final minute. He added his second scoring drive of the contest when the puck sailed through the empty net with 43 seconds remaining to ensure the Americans got their first victory in front of the home crowd.
The host team acquired 34 of their 45 shots before the third period. The Quake finished with 29 shots-on-goal including 12 in the middle period.
Both teams combined for three unanswred power play chances that resulted in 14 minutes of penalty time.
JD Stephens (1-0-0-0) swatted away all 29 shots sent his way by Yellowstone in his debut as the Americans netminder. Meanwhile, Yellowstone’s Damen Baxter (0-1-0-0), one of nine players who are back for head coach Gaetano Moirano’s squad, allowed one goal in each of the first two periods to end his first road test with 42 saves.
NEXT CONTEST: The Gillette (WY) Wild will make their first of three total regular season appearances at the Great Falls Ice Plex this season when they challenge the Americans on Saturday, September 12th starting at 7:05PM (MST). If you can’t make it in person, please join Great Falls Americans Play-By-Play Announcer Ryan Siders for the call of each and every home game this season. NATV, the NA3HL’s streaming service, will be streaming all home and away games again this season.
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com