A new season began in the North American 3 Hockey League Frontier Division last weekend when the Great Falls Americans played host to the Yellowstone Quake. Both teams missed the playoffs last season with the Americans (sixth) finishing just above the Quake in the standings.
Yellowstone wrapped up 2022-23 in seventh of the eight-team division with a record of 13-28-4-2. A coaching change over the summer now sees veteran coach Don Babineau in charge and optimism for the new season has come with expectations.
Third-year forward Sebe Perez scored the first NA3HL goal of the season late in the opening period just :30 before Zach Orwig doubled that lead before intermission. Orwig is another third-year player returning for the Quake.
The Quake carried that momentum into the second period with veteran Joey Good making it 3-0 just 1:19 after puck drop. Then things changed. Great Falls broke through minutes later and would tie the game 3-3 at the 14:32 mark.
Rookie Wesley Amos would give the visitors a 4-3 advantage before intermission, but a pair of goals by the Americans in the final frame was enough to edge the Quake 5-4.
The teams returned to the ice on Saturday when the Americans completed the weekend sweep by winning 5-3.
Veteran Max Rotsaert scored a pair in the first for Yellowstone while Logan Nichols scored his first NA3HL goal in the third.
John Hughes was between the pipes for Yellowstone in the opener while Roman von der Heide played in the weekend finale.
Next up for the Quake: home opener vs Helena Bighorns
Friday and Saturday – 7:05 PM at Riley Arena
Ludwig Media 
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