NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
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GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 11, 2026 —After their five-month offseason, the 2026-27 edition of the Great Falls Americans (1-0) were more than ready to return to the ice for their North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) season opener against the Cody, Wyoming based, Yellowstone Quake (0-1) on Friday night in Great Falls.
Head Coach Greg Sears returns for his ninth season behind the bench and a few returning players from last season’s squad were back including forwards Jacob Weber (North Pole, Alaska), Reid Lezubski (Chestermere, Alberta, Canada), Colton Bacon (Billings, MT), Riley Hattan (Kalamazoo, MI) and Keifer Lundmark (Detroit Lakes, MN) and defensemen Wyatt Rust (Anchorage, AK), Jarrett Averett (Sidney, MT), Jase Troyer (Great Falls, MT), and Gordon Jennings (Anchorage, AK). The returners hope to build and lead the next generation of players for another playoff run but first they must take care of business on the ice during the regular season.
During Friday’s home opener sponsored by Toyota, fans were treated to a special Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Slabtek (Concrete Lifting) and AJ Concrete.
Xander Troyer scored two of the the three goals to send the Great Falls Americans home with a 3-0 win over the visiting Yellowstone (WY) Quake to begin the 2026-27 NA3HL junior hockey season in Great Falls on Friday night at the Great Falls Ice Plex. Great Falls netminder, JD Stephens was spectacular in his debut for the winning team as the Colorado goaltender stopped all 29 shots from getting in the net.
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.
NOTES: The Americans Booster Club will hold their 4th Annual Tailgate Party before Saturday’s (September 12th) contest against the Gillette Wild for fans in the parking lot of the Great Falls Ice Plex. Fans can enjoy the food and beverages from 5:00PM to 6:45PM. Local band, “After Five” will provide the entertainment.
“Chuck-A-Puck” is back again occurring at the second intermission at all home games this season. Fans can secure their pucks before each game through the DASH QR Code (right). On game night, stop at the chuck-a-puck table at the merchandise table and pick up your bag of Montana Air National Guard pucks. Thanks to the following sponsors including Play It Again Sports, Teriyaki Madness, Fire Pizza, and the Sip-N-Dip Lounge who provide the targets and prizes for fans to win.
Our “Lucky Program” continues with prizes from Americans sponsors, Scheels, Howard’s Pizza and Annie’s Taphouse. Fans can purchase tickets online or at the door. Scan the QR Code (Left) to purchase tickets and merchandise.
Check out the new merchandise this season at the merchandise table by the Beer Garden.
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 profiles, 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: 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.
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