NOTE: A Special Thanks to Kevin Scott for providing the photos.
By Kevin Scott
GREAT FALLS, Mont., August 24, 2024 — Welcome back!!! The Great Falls Americans returned to the ice for the 2024-25 season on Saturday for their annual “Red vs. White” intrasquad scrimmage at the Great Falls Ice Plex.
The scrimmage consisted of three twenty minute periods with the second and third periods having a running clock. The exhibition contest was FREE for all fans with drinks and merchandise available to purchase. No official stats were kept and the game was NOT seen on the NA3HL’s official streaming service, NAHLTV. Hockey fans are reminded (if they have not already) to subscribe to NAHLTV by clicking here to watch all home and away contests.
Team White scored once during the first period with Garren Narvaez getting the score with 79 seconds remaining.
Cal Laggis, Keegan Hanson and Easton Decampo each put the biscuit in the basket for the 4-0 lead for Team White after the first intermission.
After a score from Team White in the third frame, Team Red finally got on the scoreboard with a tally by Fisher Hannesson with Team White in the sin bin.
Great Falls Americans Head Coach Greg Sears (Team Red Coach) and Assistant Coach Alex Leaf (Team White Coach) kept the scrimmage going as they practiced some game situations after the third period. First, they simulated a five-minute overtime with Ty Brander scoring for Team White. The Americans also practiced a shootout situation with each squad scoring once. Team White earned a 7-2 victory.
COMING UP: Great Falls will open the 2024-25 NA3HL Frontier Division season with a pair of home contests against the Sheridan (WY) Hawks on Friday and Saturday, September 6-7 with the puck dropping at 7:05PM (MST) each night. The Friday contest with see Vuvuzela’s (horns) being given away to fans. The Great Falls Americans Booster Club will be having their annual Tailgate Party on Saturday, September 7th starting at 5:00PM (MST) at the Americans home arena with “After Five,” a live band performing in the back of the rink. Food and beverages will be available to purchase.
Other events include a Meet and Greet with the Americans from 2:00PM-5:00PM at Big Sky Harley Davidson located at 4258 10th Avenue South in Great Falls on Thursday, September 12th leading up to Big Sky Harley Davidson Biker Night on Saturday, September 14th when Great Falls hosts the Bozeman Ice Dogs at 7:05PM (MST). The GF Americans Booster Club will have a raffle that night that will be drawn during thes econd intermission. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Big Sky Harley Davidson or from any of the Booster Club members.
GAME TICKETS: Fans can purchase tickets online and at the door. Click here to buy tickets online and see the ticket prices.
AMERICANS ONLINE STORE: The Americans also have their online store (also available at home games) available by clicking here.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WITH TWO AMERICANS EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Americans Team Owner, Matt Leaf does a weekly (in-season) newsletter called “Baldy’s Puck Drop” that arrives via email every Thursday during the season. Click here to view the current issue or back issues. To receive this email newsletter, please email Matt Leaf at MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com
Kevin Scott, the Americans Public Relations/Media Coordinator, also has an E-Newletter that comes out every Sunday during the season with game summaries, news, useful links and much more. to sign up to receive the FREE newsletter, please click here.