NOTE: A Special Thanks to Michael Noel (above, https://mnoelphotography.smugmug.com) for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
SHERIDAN, Wyo., October 31, 2026 — The Great Falls Americans (8-6-0-1) led 1-0 after the first period but their defense allowed five unanswered goals in the middle frame and ended up falling to the Sheridan (WY) Hawks (9-6-1-1), 5-2 on Halloween night inside the Whitney Rink in the M&M’s Center on Saturday night in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Americans forward Reid Lezubski secured his fifth goal of the season within the first two minutes of the opening period. EJ Sanchez, who saw action last season with Great Falls and is playing his third game of this season, earned his first assist. Great Falls led 1-0 before the first intermission and accrued 24 of the 32 shots-on-goal.
The second period belonged offensively to the Hawks as they scored five consecutive goals. Eli Farris evened the score (1-1) two minutes into the second stanza off a pass from Michael Buckowitz. Sheridan scored four goals during the final nine minutes highlighted by a pair of goals by Frank Barncord. Caden Gleason and Max Krueger also scored for the Wyoming NA3HL team. Eli Farris assisted on two goals while Tate Haugenoe, Max Krueger, Rex Rider, Cole Bishow, Lucas Paliwodzinski and Anze Gudino each provided the assists as the Hawks took a commanding 5-1 advantage.
The Americans rally fell short in the third as Wyatt Rust tallied the only goal for either team off the stick of Paxon Sacre. Great Falls’ second goal came while Sheridan was in the sin bin.
Great Falls attempted over 20 shots in each of the three periods to end the game with 65. The Hawks made five goals by taking 40 shots.
Both Frontier Division squads converted one of their power play chances.
Frank Barncord led the way for the Hawks with two goals while teammate Eli Farris scored once and dished out two assists. Reid Lezubski and Wyatt Rust each contributed goals for the visitors.
Otto Reinhart (3-0-1-0) redirected 63 shots for his third win in five appearances for the Hawks. Jaxon Kruzich (0-1-0-0) got the start in the net for the Americans but took the loss but not before finishing with 22 saves. Backup goalie Kaleb Wood relieved Kruzich in the third period and prevented all 13 shots from getting into the net.
NEXT CONTEST: Great Falls will enter the month of November with a two-game home slate featuring their rivals, the Helena Bighorns and the South Dakota based Badlands Sabres during the weekend of November 6-7. Great Falls and Helena have each won one of their first two meetings this season. Great Falls will host the Bighorns for the first time this season on Friday, November 6th at 7:05PM (MST) live from the Great Falls Ice Plex. Meanwhile, the Sabres will be in town on Saturday, November 7th for a special afternoon showdown starting at 3:35PM (MST). The games can be seen live on NATV.
The Americans Saturday afternoon contest will be followed by the University of Providence men’s hockey team challenging the Montana State University Bobcats on the ice at 7:30PM (MST).
For complete schedules/results, promotions, team stats, rosters and much more information, please go to our official website: www.greatfallsamericans.com