NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
HELENA, Mont., October 16, 2026 — Chase Berg and Braden Davis each scored two goals to lead the Helena Bighorns (8-1-1-0) past the Great Falls Americans (6-3-0-1), 7-2 during Friday’s NA3HL junior hockey action inside Steed Arena in Helena, Montana. Each team has a victory in their two meetings. Jacob Weber and Cooper Palazzolo scored the goals for Great Falls.
The first period belonged to the Helena Bighorns as Chase Berg scored two of the three goals and Jeffrey Hershberger assisted on two tallies for the home team. Chase Berg put Helena out in front three minutes into the first stanza as Joey Hemr and Jeffrey Hershberger set up the scoring play. Braden Davis increased the lead (2-0) off a pass from Evan Scholl and Ty Schell with 5:26 remaining. As time expired Chase Berg added his sixth goal (second of the night) with Jeffrey Hershberger adding the assist to put the Frontier Division’s top team with a three-goal lead after the first twenty minutes.
Each team came out of the locker room for the second period ready to go as Helena and Great Falls each scored within the first minute of the stanza. Helena’s Ty Schell took 19 seconds off the clock and scored his fourth goal with an assist going to John Freitas. Jacob Weber registered the first goal for the Americans 38 seconds later. Weber’s fourth goal of the season went unassisted. Before the second intermission, Joey Hemr scored the Bighorns fifth goal with Colorado native John Freitas earning another assist.
The Bighorns outscored the Americans, 2-1 in the final frame. Caden Feinstein found an open Blake Chapman for the lamplighter five minutes into the period to put the Bighorns in control, 6-1. Great Falls’ Cooper Palazzolo was able to put the puck in the net for his third tally of the year with under eight minutes left in regulation. Braden Davis accumulated his second scoring drive of the game for the host team before the final buzzer. Cameron Kimmerly and Caden Feinstein helped set up the final scoring drive by either squad.
The Bighorns offense attempted twice as many shots (67-33) against the Americans on Friday night in Helena. Great Falls took 28 shots after the first intermission.
There were plenty of penalties called on both Frontier Division teams tonight but neither team was able to capitalize with any successful goals.
Oliver Skog (4-0-0-0) remained undefeated with his fourth win of the season for the Bighorns. The Lethbridge, Alberta goaltender made 31 saves while allowing two goals after the first twenty minutes. JD Stephens (6-2-0-1) lost for just the second time since a September 19th (3-2) setback in Great Falls against the Sheridan (WY) Hawks. The first-year Great Falls netminder played the first 40 minutes and made 34 saves before being replaced by backup Jaxon Kruzich, who created 26 saves in the third period. Stephen is now 1-1-0-0 against Helena this season after the Americans defeated their rivals, 7-5 back on September 26th in Helena, Montana.
NEXT CONTEST: Great Falls will be home for three of their next five games to end the month of October. The Americans have faced six of their seven Frontier Division opponents so far this season and they will challenge the only team they haven’t face this year, the Bozeman Ice Dogs on Saturday, October 17th starting at 7:05PM (MST) live on NATV. The Gillette (WY) Wild will be at the Great Falls Ice Plex for a two-game series on October 23-24 with the puck dropping both nights at 7:05PM (MST).
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com