The Great Falls Americans (20-10-1-0) and the Wyoming-based Yellowstone Quake (1-31-1-0) met on the ice for the final time during the 2024-25 NA3HL junior hockey season on Saturday.
In their three previous matchups, Great Falls has outscored Yellowstone, 32-4 in the Americans three victories against the Cody, Wyoming NA3HL franchise.
In Friday’s 9-3 victory in Wyoming, Great Falls exploded for seven goals over the first two periods. Ty O’Bey (Great Falls) and Jordan Murray (Yellowstone) each scored three goals apiece for their respective teams. Aiden Kennedy put in two lamplighters for the Americans. Starting goaltender Karanveer Kooner earned his first victory as a member of the Americans by swatting away 23 shots.
The Quake are still seeking their first win in the Frontier Division after getting a win against a Selects team made up of NA3HL players at the NA3HL Showcase in December.
The Great Falls Americans hung on for a 3-2 victory over the Yellowstone (WY) Quake as the host team came up short in their comeback attempt in the third period during Saturday’s NA3HL junior hockey action at Riley Arena in Cody, Wyoming. Ty O’Bey and Aiden Kennedy each scored a goal and delivered one assist for Great Falls.
Four minutes into the first stanza, Great Falls native Owen Kronk made his first goal with the Americans. Kronk, who appeared in three games last season, saw his first action on Saturday with the Americans this season. He did suit up for the NA3HL Selects squad at the NA3HL Showcase last month but did not score. Defenseman Fisher Hannesson and goaltender Kale Witt were responsible for setting up the lone goal in the first twenty minutes of action. Despite 29 shot attempts by the visiting Montana team, only one goal occurred.
Aiden Kennedy and Ty O’Bey paced the Americans in the middle stanza as they each found the back of the net. Ty O’Bey and Chase Hapka each assisted on Kennedy’s score while John Lang and Aiden Kennedy helped O’Bey get his 24th goal.
Jordan Murray, who scored three goals in Friday’s loss to Great Falls, scored his tenth goal of the season four minutes into the last period of regulation to cut the deficit to 3-1. Sam Goulden and Wesley Amos added the assists. Sam Goulden (Yellowstone) pulled the Quake to within one goal (3-2) with 2:11 remaining as the scored his second goal of the year with helpers from Tucker Sarkisian and another assist by Wesley Amos. The home team could not find a way to put in the equalizer before time expired.
Great Falls took 57 of their 73 shots-on-goal before the second intermission. Yellowstone combined for 14 of their 16 shots-on-goal after the first period.
Both second period scoring opportunities came while the Quake was in the sin bin. Great Falls connected on two of their six power play chances. Yellowstone failed to come away with any goals during their three power plays.
Kale Witt (1-1-0-0) gathered his first win for Great Falls after playing in his fourth contest. The Detroit Lakes, Minnesota goaltender rejected 14 shots. Yellowstone’s Chase Ebeyer (6-3-0-0) was busy making 70 saves during the sixty-minute contest.
FRONTIER DIVISION UPDATE:
#7 Gillette (WY) Wild (13-17-1-0) defeated the #5 Bozeman Ice Dogs (15-12-1-1), 6-3
#4 Badlands (SD) Sabres (15-13-3-2) needed a shootout to defeat the #1 Helena Bighorns (24-3-1-1), 2-1
#6 Butte Irish (15-15-1-0) topped the #2 Sheridan (WY) Hawks, 7-5
