NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
| Box Score |
Score Sheet | League Scoreboard | Americans Team Statistics |
BOZEMAN, Mont., March 3, 2026 — The Great Falls Americans (29-14-1-1) and the Bozeman Ice Dogs (21-22-1-1) have played six times including two postponements that were eventually rescheduled this season.
Great Falls and Bozeman started out their head-to-head meeting this season with each member of the Frontier Division hosting back in September. Great Falls took the loss in both games (September 6th, 2-3 in Great Falls and September 26, 0-4, Bozeman). The Americans bounced back in their November 15th by posting a 4-1 win at the Great Falls Ice Plex. On December 6th, the Ice Dogs were leading 2-1 with eight minutes remaining in the game when the Americans suffered a significant injury to one of their players and after a lengthly delay, it was decided that they would reschedule for January 23rd. That January contest picked up where the game left off with eight minutes remaining in Great Falls and the result did not change with Bozeman taking a 2-1 win.
Haynes Pavilion in Bozeman, Montana was the venue for both clubs on February 6th with the Americans escaping with a 3-2 win. While heading to Bozeman for what was supposed to be their final matchup, Great Falls had some transportation issues and was not able to get to their destination. The Ice Dogs and Americans rescheduled the contest for Tuesday, March 3rd at Noon in Bozeman.
Keifer Lundmark scored two goals and starting goaltender Gunnar Bergo was perfect in the net stopping all 22 shots as the Great Falls Americans earned a 4-0 shutout victory on the road inside Haynes Pavilion in Bozeman, Montana on Monday afternoon. The Badlands (SD) Sabres have now clinched the fourth and final playoff berth. Great Falls’ victory eliminated the Bozeman Ice Dogs from another week of play.
Great Falls and Bozeman combined for ten total shots-on-goal during the opening twenty minutes. Each team committed one minor infraction.
Jase Troyer tallied his fifth goal with assistance from Reid Lezubski and Gavin Denis twelve minutes into the second stanza to put the Americans out in front early (1-0).
Great Falls’ defense held up for the first seventeen minutes of the third period before they scored three goals. Kiefer Lundmark scored a pair of goals 82 seconds apart with Tallon Caron adding the first goal of the period with 2:56 remaining. Jaxen Savage was able to pass the puck to Lundmark who successfully made it in the empty net for the Americans third scoring drive. Reid Lezubski provided the last goal with under one minute left in the contest.
Many of the younger players received lots of playing time as the starters will rest for the playoffs starting next week.
Both squads combined for 39 shots during the sixty minute contest.
Bozeman and Great Falls each spent four minutes in the penalty box. Reid Lezubski’s goal with 51 seconds left went into the empty net while the visitor’s were on a power play. Great Falls went 1-for-2 while Bozeman could not convert their lone try.
Gunnar Bergo (3-1-0-0) played in his sixth game and has won three of four starts for the Americans. He redirected all 22 shots he faced. Jack Ryan (15-15-0-1) made 14 saves in his final game of the season versus the Americans.
Bozeman and Great Falls each won three games of their season series with their finale on Tuesday afternoon.
NOTES: Americans forward Cooper Clouse was the Frontier Division Star of the Week (2ndStar) for the week ending March 1, 2026.
The Fargo, North Dakota native totaled 3 goals and 4 assists in two wins (5-2 and 6-3) on Saturday and Sunday, February 28-March 1st in Great Falls against the Gillette (WY) Wild . He now has 22 goals and 63 assists
Great Falls has already clinched a spot in the 2026 NA3HL Fraser Cup Playoffs in two weeks as the #3 team in the Frontier Division. The Sheridan (WY) Hawks, Helena Bighorns and the Badlands (SD) Sabres have also secured spots in the four-team Frontier Division playoffs. The schedule for the Frontier Division Semi-Finals (best-of-three format) for the #3 Great Falls Americans and the #2 Helena Bighorns is below. Tickets for Game 2 are on sale on our website or can be purchased at the door.
| 2026 NA3HL Fraser Cup Playoffs: Frontier Division Semi-Finals Schedule |
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| #3 Great Falls Americans vs. #2 Helena Bighorns (Best-of-3 Format) |
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| Day/Date | Game | Time | Location |
| Fri. March 13 | Game 1: Great Falls @ Helena | 7:05PM | Steed Arena, Helena, MT |
| Sat. March 14 | Game 2: Helena @ Great Falls | 7:05PM | Great Falls Ice Plex, Great Falls, MT |
| Sun. March 15 | *Game 3: Great Falls @ Helena | TBA | Steed Arena, Helena, MT |
| *Game 3: If Necessary | |||
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: Before the 2025-26 NA3HL junior hockey regular season concludes, the Great Falls Americans and the Butte Irish have two dates (away/home) remaining. Butte, who won’t be in the four-team Frontier Division playoffs, will host Great Falls on Friday, March 6th at the Butte Community Ice Center with the puck dropping at 7:30PM (MST). Great Falls and Butte will clash in the regular season finale for both squads on Saturday, March 7th at the Great Falls Ice Plex at 7:05PM (MST). Both contests can be see live on NATV.
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