NOTE: A Special Thanks to Dustin Bauer for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
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GREAT FALLS, Mont., October 29, 2023 — On Sunday, October 8th, when the #4 Great Falls Americans (8-6-0-0) had their first road game of the season after starting the 2023-24 season with seven consecutive home dates, Great Falls had a tough test when they faced off with the #3 Bozeman Ice Dogs (9-5-0-0) inside Bozeman’s Haynes Pavilion.
Three weeks ago, Bozeman jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the previous two periods to eventually defeat Great Falls, 4-2. Braden Koliha paced the home team with a hat trick (three goals) while Matthias Godfrey and Ben Fries chipped in two assists. Great Falls is led by Dmitri Kuleshov who had two scoring drives for the Americans. Matthew Ryyanen won the matchup in the net against Ryan Stowe. Ryyanen generated 46 saves while Stowe stopped 32 of 36 shots (game story).
Who are the team leaders? Bodie Shepardson has a team-high of nine goals and a team-best of 12 assists for coach Mike Perkins’ Bozeman squad. A trio of players lead the Americans including Dmitri Kuleshov and Ty O’Bey (ten goals each) and Ty O’Bey and Aaron James have ten assists apiece for the Americans under the guidance of head coach Greg Sears.
Sunday was the Ice Dogs’ time to make the 185-mile trip to Great Falls.
The #4 Great Falls Americans scored three goals before the second intermission and that was enough to down the #3 Bozeman Ice Dogs, 3-1 in their second head-to-head matchup of the 2023-24 NA3HL season in Great Falls on Sunday afternoon. Dmitri Kuleshov scored one in the opening period and then Ty O’Bey added two in the middle period for the winning side.
Great Falls took a one-goal lead during the first twenty minutes of NA3HL action on Sunday afternoon. A pass from Ty O’Bey to Dmitri Kuleshov, who found the back of the net, was the only goal scored in the first stanza. Christian Crutcher earned the secondary assist. Despite trailing early in the contest, Bozeman outshot Great Falls, 13-8.
Ty O’Bey scored twice in the middle period to stretch the Americans lead to 3-0. Dmitri Kuleshov assisted on two scoring plays while Phil Harrell and Aaron James each had a hand in the two scoring drives. The Americans and Ice Dogs contributed 25 saves apiece after two periods of action with the home team accruing 17 of the 29 shots before the second intermission.
After 48 minutes, the Ice Dogs converted their first goal as Bodie Shepardson collected his 12th assist on Braden Koliha’s goal (seventh overall) to cut the deficit to 3-1. Despite many shot attempts by either team during the final eleven minutes, neither team was able to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
The Americans made half of their shot attempts (17) in the second period to finish with 34. The majority of Bozeman’s 42 total shots came in the third frame as they accumulated 17.
The two rivals were whistled for 14 minor infractions resulting in 28 minutes spent in the sin bin.
Kaden Ryhder won his fifth game in six contests (5-1-0-0) for Great Falls as he allowed one third period goal to finish with 41 saves. Bozeman’s Sean Smer (3-1-0-0) recorded 31 saves while allowing three goals. The Californian netminder had a 6-5-1-0 record in 14 appearances as one of the goaltenders for the Bozeman Ice Dogs 2022-23 squad.
NOTES: Today’s promotion was “Think Pink for the Girls” as the Great Falls Americans partnered with them to raise awareness for those impacted by breast cancer. For every ticket sold at the game, one dollar was donated to the cause and matched by City Motor Company, one of the Americans premiere sponsors. UPDATE: The Americans raised over $1,100 for the “Think Pink for the Girls”. Thanks again to our amazing fans.
Great Falls Americans defenseman Phil Harrell played in his 100th career junior hockey game as announced by the Americans at today’s contest. The St. Louis, Missouri standout has played 57 games with Great Falls in his two seasons (2022-24) and 43 with the St. Louis Jr. Blues during the 2021-22 season.
This week, another episode of the “Americans Podcast with Jim Quick” was completed with his guest being defenseman Sam Duehlmeier. Quick has done four podcasts this year featuring the history of the Americans, interviews with former American and now Associate Coach, Alex Leaf and current player, Phil Harrell. Fans can listen to the full podcasts by clicking here.
In this week’s “Baldy’s Puck Drop” Newsletter, Americans team owner Matt Leaf has a player profile of Luke Pizzey, sponsor information, “Think Pink for the Girls” information and how local business, Craftmaster Cabinets, helped with the new dressing room. Click here to view all the weekly “Baldy’s Puck Drop” Newsletters.
The Great Falls Americans had their annual Halloween Party at the home of Bob and Wendy Dick’s earlier this week. Please check out the photo gallery of the event from the Americans and Bob and Wendy Dick. Click here to view all the photos. Dustin Bauer, the Americans Photographer also took action photos at Sunday’s game.
Click here to view the Americans online team store that features a variety of different souvenirs to purchase. A store is available at all home games. Fans can also buy game day tickets on the website prior to the game by clicking here.
Please check out the Americans website at www.greatfallsamericans.com for all your updated news, game summaries, rosters, photo galleries, etc.
FRONTIER DIVISION UPDATE: No other Frontier Division games were played today.
NEXT CONTEST: When will these two opponents meet again? The next clash on the ice between these two rivals will occur on Sunday, November 26th in Great Falls at 6:00PM (MST).
But first, the Americans will play host to the second-ranked Helena Bighorns (12-2-0-0) on Saturday, November 4th. The first matchup between these main rivals begins at 7:00PM (MST) from the Great Falls Ice Plex.
Fans can watch all the NA3HL contests (including the Great Falls Americans) on the NA3HL’s official streaming service, NAHLTV. To learn more about how to view any of the Americans games, please click here.
Click here for the 2023-24 Great Falls Americans schedule and results.
Additional Media Coverage: October 25, 2023: Americans Podcast with Jim Quick: Americans defenseman Sam Duehlmeier talked hockey with Jim. Click here to listen to all episodes.
Additional Media Coverage: October 26, 2023: Staradio: Weekly Radio Interview by Staradio Sports Director Troy Mellinger with Great Falls Americans Head Coach Greg Sears every week. Click here to listen to the full interviews.
Additional Media Coverage: October 26, 2023: Baldy’s Puck Drop: Weekly Americans Newsletter by Team Owner, Matt Leaf, Volume 8. Click here to view the entire inaugural newsletter.
Photos below were taken by Kevin Scott and Dustin Bauer for Sunday’s “Think Pink for the Girls” promotional day.
