NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
GREAT FALLS, Mont., September 19, 2026 — The Sheridan (WY) Hawks (2-2-0-0) scored two goals in the first and added another in the third period to edge the Great Falls Americans (2-1-0-1), 3-2 at the Great Falls Ice Plex on Saturday night in Great Falls.
Sheridan struck first with a goal six minutes into the first period when Cole Bushow capitalized on his first score of the season. Luke Arteaga and Andrew Bushbaum added the helpers. Each team was able to score during the final four minutes, Jacob Weber, who split time with the Yellowstone Quake and the Americans last season, got the puck in the net over Sheridan’s goaltender, Patrick Doran. First year players, Shaun Lerner and Jacob Piccioni set up the Americans first scoring play. The 1-1 tie lasted just 41 seconds before the Hawks regained the lead (2-1). Max Krueger, one of ten players from last year’s playoff team that returned this year, recorded his third goal with assists going to Andrew Bushbaum and Luke Lebens. The Hawks attempted twice as many shots (18-9) than the Americans prior to the first intermission.
A combined 20 shots were taken in the second frame but neither Sheridan nor Great Falls could find a way to add any goals for their respective teams.
Sheridan forward Max Krueger gave the visiting Wyoming team a 3-1 lead with 6:39 remaining in the final period of regulation. Lucas Chaffee and Ernie Allen provided the assistance for the Hawks scoring drive. Three minutes later, the host team cut the deficit back to a single (3-2) when Reid Lezubski found Paxon Sacre open for the lamplighter. Both teams made many attempts at getting the puck in the net for the final ten minutes but none were successful.
The Hawks took over ten shots in each of the three periods to finish with 48. Great Falls’ offense took nine shots in each of the first two periods to end their fourth game of the season with 26.
The Americans was denied any scoring attempts in their four power play opportunities. Great Falls’ defense did not allow any goals in Sheridan’s five power play chances.
Patrick Doran got the start for head coach Todd McIlrath’s squad stopping 17 shots in 39 minutes but Jayden Puchkors (1-0-0-0) got his first win by swatting away seven of the eight shot attempts he faced in the third frame. Americans netminder JD Stephens has played in all four of the Americans first games and is now 2-1-0-1. The Aurora, Colorado standout rejected 26 shots in his first regluation setback.
NEXT CONTEST: The Americans will close out the month of September with a single contest against their rivals, the Helena Bighorns. This will be the first road test for Great Falls after starting the season with four home games. Catch all the action on NATV from Steed Arena in Helena, Montana on Saturday, September 26th starting at 7:05PM (MST).
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com