NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photo.
By Kevin Scott
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SHERIDAN, Wyo.., November 8, 2025 — The Great Falls Americans (10-7-1-1) were looking for the weekend sweep on Saturday night after downing the Sheridan (WY) Hawks (14-5-0-1), 4-3 on Friday night.
Great Falls’ Ethan Miller and Tallon Caron combined for three goals and three assists and goaltender Kaden Rhyder stopped 49 of 52 shots in the Americans fifth win in five games on Friday. Jeff Slivon, Kyle Rihela and Elijah White each put the biscuit in the basket for the top team in the NA3HL’s Frontier Division.
Could Great Falls pick up their third win in four meetings against the Hawks on Saturday?
The Sheridan Hawks trio of Elijah White, Vincent Leaf and Dante Hunziker each scored to prevent the Great Falls Americans from earning the weekend sweep and halted the Americans five-game winning streak with their 3-1 win on Saturday in Sheridan, Wyoming. Gavin Denis added his eighth goal of the season for Great Falls in the middle frame.
Elijah White (Sheridan) had a hand in both first period goals. White broke the scoreless tie midway through the opening period. Jeff Slivon assisted with ten minutes on the clock for the 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Vincent Leaf answered with a goal of his own with help from Elijah White.
After trailing 2-0 before the first intermssion, Gavin Denis registered his fifth goal of the season off a pass from Cooper Clouse, who now has 16 assists. The Americans first goal was made three minutes into the second period. After two periods concluded, the Hawks took 34 shots and limited the Americans to 21.
Both teams tried unsuccessfully to score in the third frame until the final 55 seconds when Dante Hunziker scored (empty net) to ensure the Hawks would earn the weekend split. The Hawks third scoring drive came when Americans goaltender was pulled in favor of adding another offensive player on the ice.
Great Falls outshot the host team, 20-9 to end their weekend series with 41 shots-on-goal. Sheridan attempted 34 of their 43 shots before the third period.
Both teams scored once while their opponent was in the sin bin. Vincent Leaf’s first period goal and Gavin Denis’ lone goal for Great Falls each came on the power play.
TJ Wonnocott got the start and his seventh win of the season by stopping 40 shots by the Americans. The Colorado goatie is now 2-1-0-0 versues Great Falls this season and he improved to 7-2-0-1 in 11 appearances. Kaden Rhyder (4-3-1-0). A day after compiling 49 saves in the win against Sheridan, Kaden Rhyder finished with 41 after allowing two first period pucks get by him.
NOTES: Americans forward AJ Prioli became the third Great Falls American in three weeks to receive either 1st or 2nd “Star of the Week” honors. Americans forward Cooper Clouse and goaltender Kaden Rhyder also received the (Star of the Week) league honors in the past two weeks. The Massachusetts native totaled three goals and four assists in both victories against the Gillette (WY) Wild for the “2nd Star” honors during the weekend of October 31 – November 1 on the road in Gillette, Wyoming.
He scored one of the four goals in Friday’s 4-1 win and then two goals in Saturday’s 4-3 overtime decision. In 4 games with the Americans, he has four goals and eight assists.
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: After two months of NA3HL competition, the Great Falls Americans will challenge the Butte Irish for the first time this season. The Americans will meet the Irish at the Butte Community Ice Center on Friday; November 14th at 7:30PM (MST). The Americans will be back at home for four straight contests after that. The Bozeman Ice Dogs will come to town for a 7:05PM showdown with the Americans on Saturday, November 15th. Great Falls will also play in front of their fans at the Great Falls Ice Plex for a two-game weekend series against the Yellowstone (WY) Quake (November 21-22) and topped off with a date with their Montana rival, the Helena Bighorns on November 28. Fans can stream all the home and away contests at 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