NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
PHOTO GALLERY COMING SOON!!!
GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 18, 2026 — The Great Falls Americans (2-0-0-1) scored half of their goals in the second period as they cruised by the Butte Irish (0-3-0-0), 8-3 during Friday’s NA3HL junior hockey action at the Great Falls Ice Plex. Keifer Lundmark and Jordan Antar teamed up to record four goals for the winning team.
Keifer Lundmark gave the home team the only score of the first period off a pass from Wyatt Rust and Austin Gibson. The short-handed scoring drive occurred with 9:57 remaining before the first intermission. Great Falls accrued 14 shots while limiting Butte to 9 during the opening twenty minutes.
The Americans added their second goal of the contest during the first three minutes of the middle stanza when Riley Hattan scored off an assist by Gordon Jennings. Keifer Lundmark had a secondary assist. The 2-0 lead last 36 seconds before the Irish were able to capitalize on their first scoring opportunity. Keegan Adams tallied his second goal with helpers from Jack Whitelaw and Kaleb Ivens with 16:54 left on the clock. The Americans tacked on their third goal less than two minutes after the Irish got the biscuit in the basket to increase the lead to 3-1. Jarrett Parker acquired his second goal of the season with assistance from Paxon Sacre and Parker Jusczak. Eight minutes later, Reid Lezubski made the score 4-1 when his shot sailed by Butte netminder Mathieu Chernaukas that was set up by Jordan Antar and Xander Troyer. Great Falls’ Jordan Antar put the puck in the net before the period concluded. Austin Gibson gathered his fourth assist and Wyatt Rust created his third assist of the season on the fifth goal by the home team with 76 seconds remaining. The Americans scored four second period goals on 25 shots. After taking nine shots in the opening stanza, the Irish scored once on six shots.
Great Falls increased their advantage to 6-1 within the first two minutes of the third frame. Parker Jusczak, who was added to the squad this week, answered with his first score off a pass from Austin Gibson, who captured his fifth assist. Paxon Sacre also helped with the tally. Minutes later, Keegan Adams was successful in the net for the second time tonight and cut the visitors deficit to 6-2. He scored his third goal of the season for the Irish with assistance provided by Great Falls, Montana native Jacob Avgustovskiy and Jack Whitelaw. Butte took out their starting goaltender (Mathieu Chernaukas) to give them an extra player on the ice. Keifer Lundmark took advantage of the empty net and buried his second goal of the night off the stick of Jase Troyer for the five-goal advantage (7-2) with seven minutes to play. Butte’s Bryce Hodges provided the second goal of the period and third overall with 4:26 to go in regulation. Nathan Montoya and Tanner Damgaard each earned the assist for Coach Marc Brodeur’s squad. Great Falls finished the period with one final scoring drive. Jordan Antar accumulated his second goal of the contest with Xander Troyer and Riley Hattan getting credit for the assists with four minutes left.
The Americans took most of their shots in the middle period where they attempted 25 of their 58 shots. Butte’s offense managed 31 shots in 60 minutes of action.
A total of nine combined power play chances went unanswered between these two Montana opponents.
Keifer Lundmark and Jordan Antar each registered two goals and had an assist for the American second win in three games. Keegan Adams led Butte with two goals and Jack Whitelaw added two assists.
Great Falls netminder JD Stephens gave up three goals after the first period but finished with 28 saves for his second win (2-0-0-1) in his first year with the Americans. Despite 51 saves, Mathieu Chernaukas fell to 0-2 in his third appearance for Butte.
NEXT CONTEST: After starting the 2026-27 season playing the Yellowstone (Cody, WY) Quake, Gillette (WY) Wild and the Butte Irish, the Great Falls Americans will play their fourth different opponent when the Sheridan (WY) Hawks come to Great Falls for their first meeting with the Americans on Saturday, September 19th. The action on the ice starts at 7:05PM (MST) and can be seen live on NATV. Point S Tire & Auto will sponsor the Kid’s Tricycle Races between periods.
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com