NOTE: A Special Thanks to Kevin Scott for providing the photos. Michael Noel provided the photos at the bottom of page.
By Kevin Scott
GREAT FALLS, Mont., August 23, 2025 —The Boys Are Back in Town! The 2025-26 edition of the Great Falls Americans returned to the ice on Saturday, August 23rd for their annual “Blue vs. White” intrasquad scrimmage at the Great Falls Ice Plex.
All players reported to the team for a week long training camp that was held from August 18-23. The Americans debuted their new team jerseys for Saturday’s exhibition contest.
Gavin Denis, one of eleven returning players from last season’s squad, scored the first goal of the first period followed three minutes later by Great Falls native EJ Sanchez, who put the biscuit in the basket to give Team Blue the early 2-0 advantage.
After the first intermission, the White team erased their two-goal deficit. Logan Mese answered for Team White picking up his team’s first goal within the first two minutes of the second period. Wyatt Hanna put in the equalizer four minutes after Mese’s score. Both squads had their share of opportunities in the middle stanza to get the puck in the net but were unsuccessful.
The Montana Air National Guard sponsored the year’s first “Chuck-A-Puck” during the second intermission.
Defenseman Keegan Hanson broke the tie for Team Blue in the third frame for the 3-2 lead with four minutes remaining in regulation.
Despite Blue leading (3-2) after three periods, Great Falls Americans Head Coach Greg Sears (Team White Coach) and Assistant Coach Alex Leaf (Team Blue Coach) kept the scrimmage going as they practiced some game situations after the third period. First, they simulated a five-minute overtime with neither squad scoring. The Americans also practiced a shootout situation with the Blue Team (Gavin Denis and Jacob Weber) scoing twice. Logan Mese added the lone goal for Team White.
The scrimmage consisted of three twenty minute periods with the second and third periods having a running clock. The exhibition contest was FREE for all fans with drinks and merchandise available to purchase. No official stats were kept and the game was seen on the NA3HL’s official streaming service, NATV. Hockey fans are reminded (if they have not already) to subscribe to NATV by clicking here to watch all home and away contests.
EVENTS COMING UP: On Tuesday, August 26th, the Americans will be having a Meet and Greet and fans can play “Singo” at Annie’s Taphouse
(112 Central Avenue) starting at 6:00PM.
The Americans Booster Club is raffling off a unique item, a remote controlled zamboni cooler that features LED headlights, two cup holders, and it has Bluetooth speakers. The cooler also holds 30 cans of your favorite beverage(s). Tickets are $10.00 each and you don’t need to be present to win. The drawing will be held on Friday, October 25th when the Americans host the Yellowstone (WY) Quake at the Great Falls Ice Plex starting at 7:05PM (MST). To purchase tickets, please see any of the Booster Club members at any of the home games or contact Adam Stanczak at 406-564-6771. All proceeds will be used to support the Great Falls Americans Junior A hockey team! Click here for the story. For more upcoming events, please click here.
GAME TICKETS: Fans can purchase tickets online or at the door for every home contest this season. Click here to buy tickets online and see the ticket prices.
AMERICANS ONLINE STORE: The Americans also have their online store (also available at home games) available by clicking here.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WITH TWO AMERICANS EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Americans Team Owner, Matt Leaf does a weekly (in-season) newsletter called “Baldy’s Puck Drop” that arrives via email every Thursday during the season. Click here to view the current issue or back issues. To receive this email newsletter, please click here.
Kevin Scott, the Americans Public Relations/Media Coordinator, also has an E-Newsletter that comes out every Sunday during the regular season and playoffs with game summaries, news, useful links and much more. Please click here to sign up for the FREE Newsletter.
COMING UP: The Great Falls Americans will open the 2025-26 North American 3 Hockey League’s (NA3HL) regular season at the Great Falls Ice Plex against their closest rival (in miles), the Helena Bighorns on Friday, September 5th. The Americans will also host the Bozeman Ice Dogs on Saturday, September 6th with the puck set to drop at 7:05PM (MST) on both nights.
The Great Falls Americans Booster Club will be having their annual Tailgate Party on Saturday, September 6th starting at 5:00PM (MST) at the Americans home arena with “After Five,” a live band performing in the back of the rink. Food and beverages will be available to purchase.
Old Chicago (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, and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com
The photos below are from the Americans Photographer, Michael Noel.
The photos below are ourtesy of the Great Falls American Facebook page.
