NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photo.
By Kevin Scott
| Box Score |
Score Sheet | League Scoreboard | Americans Team Statistics |
GREAT FALLS, Mont.., October 24, 2025 — The Great Falls Americans (6-6-1-1) and the Sheridan (WY) Hawks (10-4-0-1) met on Friday evening in Great Falls for their second encounter on the ice this season.
Two weeks ago (October 10), Great Falls traveled to Sheridan, Wyoming where Sheridan showed why they are one of the top teams in the NA3HL by producing a 7-1 victory. Jameson Clark of the Hawks led both squads with two goals and netminder TJ Wonnacott finished with 28 saves. Former American Logan Mese prevented the shutout with a second period goal for Great Falls.
Great Falls was back on home ice after three consecutive weekends away from the Great Falls Ice Plex ready to give the home fans some excitement on the ice.
Photo Credit: Kevin Scott
Tonight, the Great Falls Americans teamed up with the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute for the 3rd Annual “Think Pink for the Girls” Weekend bringing awareness and raising funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. In addition to the ice being painted pink for the home games with Sheridan and Yellowstone (Quake), there will be a variety of raffles and sales to support the cause. “Think Pink for the Girls” is a local breast cancer support group that offers assistance for victims and families in Cascade County.
There are four DASH activation auction items that will be available including a #1 Fan special edition Pink jersey signed by the members of the Americans team that will be auctioned off during this weekend and through November 3rd. Another item for auction up for bid is a signed and framed 8″ X 10″ photo of the Americans wearing their pink jerseys. The Americans will also be making a donation to the local breast cancer support group for each fan in attendance during the weekend series with the Wyoming clubs. There will also be raffle items and baskets from a few of our sponsors. Click here to view the auction.
The Great Falls Americans led 2-0 after the second intermission and hung on to defeat the top team in the NA3HL’s Frontier Division, the Sheridan (WY) Hawks, 3-1 on Friday evening in front of a great crowd at the Great Falls Ice Plex. Keifer Lundmark, Jase Troyer and Tallon Caron put in the goals for head coach Greg Sears’ squad. Newcomer AJ Prioli assisted on two scoring opportunities.
A quiet first period saw both teams combine for 27 shots but no successful goals scored. There was a small delay with eleven minutes remaining so the Great Falls Ice Plex rink staff could fix a piece of the plexiglass. Each squad went 0-for-1 on the power play.
Photo Credit: Kevin Scott
During the first intermission, the crowd was entertained by a performance from the Great Falls Figure Skating Club as they showed off their hard work after several months of practice.
The scoreless game ended in the second period when the Americans accumulated two successful scoring drives during a 44 second span. Kiefer Lundmark, a native of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota scored his first goal with the Americans with 5:24 remaining before the second intermission. AJ Prioli, who joined the team this week, and Bryce Webb each received an assist. Jase Troyer, one of three players from Great Falls, contributed his first goal in his second season with the host team with assistance from EJ Sanchez and Reid Lezubski, who each provided their second assists of the season. The Americans outshot their Wyoming counterparts, 13-12.
The home team took advantage of their power play and connected for their third goal of the game in the final period. Cooper Clouse assisted on his ninth scoring drive and AJ Prioli picked up his second assist when he found Tallon Caron for the slapshot with 13 minutes remaining. The Hawks scored their first and only goal of the game with 4:40 left when Anthony Launderville found fellow Minnesota teammate Derrek Laite for the lamplighter to cut the deficit to 3-1 but that would be as close as they would get as they suffered their fifth loss in 15 games.
Sheridan’s offense outshot Great Falls in two of the three periods (50-31).
Eight total power play opportunites were made but neither team could get the biscuit in the basket despite many attempts.
Kaden Rhyder (1-2-1-0) picked up his first win of the season by swatting away 49 shots produced by the Hawks offense. TJ Wonnacott is now 1-1-0-0 versus Great Falls this season. The Hawks netminder fell to 5-2-1-0 and made 28 saves.
Photo Credit: Great Falls Americans Facebook
NOTES: Americans forward Cooper Clouse was named the NA3HL Frontier Division Star of the Week that ended on October 19th for his play on the road helping his team defeat the Badlands (SD) Sabres 6-2 on October 17th in South Dakota scoring two goals and delivering two assists. He had one goal and one assist in a 4-3 overtime setback to the Gillette (WY) Wild on on October 18th.
On Tuesday, October 21st, the Americans and some members of their staff along with Americans mascot, Baldy mingled with staff at the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute and pose for a photo (right) to help promote this weekend’s activities at the Great Falls Ice Plex.
The Americans Booster Club is raffling off a Remote Controlled Zamboni Cooler with the ticket drawn at the October 25th contest against the Yellowstone (WY) Quake. Tickets are $10.00 each. Click here for more information. To purchase tickets, please see any of the Booster Club members at any of the home games or contact Adam Stanczak (406-564-6771).
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: Great Falls will play host to the Yellowstone (Cody, WY) Quake for the first time this season with the puck dropping at 7:05PM (MST) live on NATV from the Great Falls Ice Plex on Saturday, October 25th.
The Americans will then be on the road for two full weeks with stops in Gillette, Wyoming for a two-game series with the Wild (Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 7:05PM each night) and then a twin-bill with the Sheridan (WY) Hawks (Nov. 7-8, 7:30PM each night). After a single game against the Butte Irish on November 14th (also at 7:30PM), Great Falls will welcome the Bozeman Ice Dogs to town on Saturday, November 15th (7:05PM).
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