By Kevin Scott
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GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 9, 2023 — The Great Falls Americans (2-0-0-0) picked up their first win in their first game of the season on Friday night but it was not easy as the Yellowstone (WY) Quake (0-2-0-0) held a 3-0 advantage early in the second period before the Americans offense found a way to deliver some goals in a 5-4 victory for the home team (game story). Ty O’Bey scored two goals and Aidan Kennedy chipped in the game-winner near the end of the contest to preserve the win.
Great Falls was hoping for their second victory in as many days when the Quake came back for their weekend finale.
Newcomer Ty O’Bey scored his third goal (fourth overall) of the night to help the Great Falls Americans stay undefeated by escaping with a 5-3 victory over the Cody, Wyoming based Yellowstone Quake during Saturday’s action at the Great Falls Ice Plex. The 387 spectators in attendance went home happy.
The Americans took a 2-1 lead ten minutes into the first period. Forwards Aaron James and Blake Komrofske tacked on the goals for the home team while Max Rotsaert lit up the lamp for Yellowstone. Aiden Kennedy, Alec Browning, Jacob James, and Cade Bendigo earned the assist for the Americans. The Quake’s goal was assisted by Zach Orwig. The final five minutes before the first intermission saw Great Falls add two more goals to their total to take a 4-1 lead. Ty O’Bey scored the first goal with Aiden Kennedy and Christian Crutcher setting up the initial scoring drive. Luke Fizzey made his first scoring drive with Great Falls with helpers going to Ty O’Bey and Christian Crutcher. The visiting cut the deficit to 4-2 as Max Rotsaert converted on a pass from Wesley Amos with 68 seconds left. A total of 33 shots-on-goal were taken in the first twenty minutes of action with Great Falls accruing 21.
Great Falls and Yellowstone attempted just 18 shots-on-goal but failed to produce any goals.
In the third frame, the Quake scored quickly (51 seconds) when Zach Orwig and Max Rotsaert found Logan Nichols for the lamplighter over the Americans goaltender for their third scoring drive. Both teams had many chances to turn shots into goals but came up empty until Ty O’Bey put the game away via a pass from Christian Crutcher with 46 seconds remaining for the top team in the NA3HL’s Frontier Division.
The Montana NA3HL franchise accumulated 46 shots-on-goal while Yellowstone finished with 26. The Americans outshot the Wyoming club, 17-4 in the final period.
In addition to Ty O’Bey’s two goals, Aaron James and Blake Komrofske each got the puck by Quake netminder Roman Von Der Heide. Max Rotsaert led Yellowstone coach Don Babineau’s squad with two first period goals and Logan Nichols added his first goal as a member of the Quake in the third period.
Adler Hoaglund (1-0), who also played for the Americans last season, got the start, and swatted away 23 of the 26 shots he faced against the Quake’s offense. Meanwhile, Sweden native Roman Von Der Heide (0-1) lost in his debut but not before making 41 saves.
NOTES: The Americans had a Tailgate Party with a live band at 5:00PM before the game began. Fans were treated to Taco-In-A-Bag (Walking Tacos) while listening to the band, “After Five” perform outside the Great Falls Ice Plex.
The Americans have a new online team store this season with a variety of items to buy. Click here to buy online or purchase your Americans souvenirs at any of the home games.
Please check out the Americans website at www.greatfallsamericans.com for all your updated news, game summaries, rosters, photo galleries, etc.
NEXT CONTEST: While the rest of the Frontier Division starts their season next weekend, the Americans are off until the Americans play host to the Gillette (WY) Wild on September 22-23, 2023. The action on the ice at the Great Falls Ice Plex starts at 7:00PM (MST) each night. NAHLTV is the NA3HL’s new streaming platform for fans that are not able to make it to the Americans home arena. Click here to learn more about how to view any of the Americans home and away contests.
Wyoming’s Riley Arena is the site for the Quake’s home debut on September 15-16th when they challenge the Helena Bighorns at 7:05PM (MST).
Click here for the 2023-24 Great Falls Americans schedule and results.