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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – August) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 43: October 31, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Welcome to the world of working with young men who are learning about life. It was a bittersweet weekend with a nice come from behind win in front of a magical home crowd on “Think Pink” night followed by a disappointing loss in Butte on Saturday. There were times on Friday night when one had to believe it was just not going to be our night. A few unlikely bounces and an opposing goalkeeper playing extremely well put the team in a 2-0 hole that they bounced back from and controlled the 2nd and 3rd periods to earn a 4-2 win. They competed hard and took care of business extending their home winning streak to eight games.
Going to be blunt – on Saturday night our team was not focused going into the game and it cost them a chance to separate themselves from the pack a bit and establish themselves as an elite team. Worrying about equipment, facilities, a delayed game start all distracted them from the task at hand and sapped energy that negatively impacted their performance on the ice. The expectations for this team are very high and this will need to be a message that they remember throughout the season to avoid similar types of efforts. On a positive note, they did claw back from a 3-1 deficit to make a game of it and gave our great fans that made the trip some hope after two periods. But then failed to get it done in the 3rd falling 5-4.
A congrats does go out to forward Ty O’Bey for earning Frontier Division “2nd Star of the Week”. This is the third time Ty has been mentioned in the league weekly honors with Ty leading our team with 14 goals and 11 assists in 15 games. Ty added 4 goals and an assist over the weekend and sits sixth in the league in goals and ninth in points. Be sure to follow the NA3HL on social media to ensure you are not missing any of the special recognition by the league that our players are receiving for their on-ice play.
I also want to recognize #28 Mercer Twomey as Friday night was his 100th Junior Hockey Game. Mercer joined us this season and was sitting
at 99 for a few weeks due to a shoulder injury. 100 games is a fairly significant milestone in Junior Hockey as it indicates a commitment and love for the game, along with durability over three seasons, to reach this level. We continued a tradition we started last season where we recognize the player with a plaque prior to the game and then the Booster Club does a special cake and presentation after the game.
Congrats to Mercer and thank you for being a part of the Americans family. I would like to open my “Think Pink” recap by thanking the arena staff and a slew of volunteers for putting in the effort to paint the ice pink late on Thursday evening. Rink Manager, Aaron Leaf, led a crew of Marcus Ivey, Trevor Haynes, Ryan and Krista Smith, Pam Stanzcak, Ryan Meyers, Caleb Rossmiller plus Americans John Lang and Ty Brander who worked into the wee hours of the night to put down several coats of paint and sealed it with water before the Zamboni was able to go on and build additional ice. By game time on Friday, the ice was about 3/8” thick above the pink paint and it looked great! For those also interested, the ice stayed pink throughout the weekend and the process of removing the pink was completed by Tuesday morning.
I am delighted that we have partnered with “Think Pink For the Girls” – a local Breast Cancer Support Group – to create breast cancer
awareness and also fundraise to support their efforts. The night was a huge success with attendance over 500, including several first-time 
hockey viewers who made the commitment to support the cause. Hopefully, they are now hooked on our game. We want to thank Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute one more time for making this evetn possible and She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique plus Life in Bloom Floral and Gift Boutique for donating gift baskets that were raffled off and raised additional funds for “Think Pink For the Girls”.
A special thanks is in order for Great Falls Figure Skating Club members Emily Weaver and Liv Perry (pictured
with a few of our players) for their performance during the first intermission.
The jersey auction is currently live and will run through Sunday evening, November 3rd. To bid, you can register with DASH by scanning the QR code. So far, all 31 jerseys have received minimum bids and over $4500 has been raised for Breast Cancer Support here in Cascade County. You can also purchase a special team signed and framed 8”x10” team photo taken after the game. This special edition photo will only be available for a limited time through Sunday evening. Once the auction is complete, we will be announcing a game date in late November where we will present a check to “Think Pink For The Girls” for the auction proceeds, plus $1058 from the Americans and City Chevrolet for our donation of $1 for each person in
attendance matched by City Chevrolet. Stay tuned to future Newsletters for the date for the special presentation.
Our guys participated in a couple of special events this week. Sunday night, Bob and Wendy Dick hosted the team for the annual Halloween Party which included a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest. On Tuesday night, several of our players were back at Morningside Elementary School to assist with their “Trunk or Treat” Event. Wednesday night resulted in a team dinner hosted by Dave and Cathy Covert. The final practice on Thursday morning includes the annual “Candy Cup” where the players are divided into six themed teams and compete in a little cross-ice tournament before being released for a well-deserved break. We have the weekend off, so several players are heading home to reset and those who are staying in town will be helping with our “Try Hockey For Free” event on Saturday and 
participating in our Sled Hockey Exhibition (4:14-5:45 PM). Trust me, after propelling themselves around in a sled for over an hour on Saturday, they will be happy to be doing some conditioning drills on skates next Monday. Come on out and support our Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation Athletes and the Americans and see what sled hockey is all about. You can then stick around for the Providence game after as they take in Utah State.
Player Profile – #35 Kale Witt (Detroit Lakes,MN) 5’8” 155 lbs. GK – Shoots Left DOB 05/29/2006
Favorite Team: Detroit Red Wings Favorite Players: Patrick Kane
Favorite Movie: Into the Wild Actor/Actress: Seth Rogan
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Jimmy Johns
If you were an animal: Eagle – So I could fly!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Black Eyed Peas
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rap
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Aiden Kennedy
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golfing, Pickleball
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Dominek Hasek, Patrick Kane, Carey Price
College/University of Choice: University of North Dakota
Like Most About Great Falls: The scenery and people here!
How would you define a successful season: Being the #1 Seed in the Frontier Division!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
- Saturday, November 2nd – “Try Hockey for Free” for all kids 4-9 years Two sessions will take place from 10:00-11:00 AM and then 1:30-2:30 PM. Interested families can register their kids at www.tryhockeyforfree.com.
- Saturday, November 2nd – Special Sled Hockey Exhibition between the Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation Athletes and many of our Great Falls Americans The exhibition is free to the public and will take place from 4:00 PM-5:30 PM prior to the University of Providence Game. Come on out and support these special athletes and see what Sled Hockey is all about.
- Sunday, November 3rd – “Think Pink For the Girls” Special Jersey Auction closes.
- November 8th and 9th – We travel to Gillette for two games – join other passionate fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official watch party.
- Friday, November 15th – Home versus Bozeman at 7:05
- Saturday, November 16th – Road game versus Helena at 7:05
- November 22nd and 23rd – Military Appreciation Weekend as we host Bozeman (Friday) and Butte (Saturday) and recognize those who have served our country.
Thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant and Lounge | All-State Signs | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Comparion Insurance-Todd Neighbor | Automotive Machine | Beacon Ice House |
| Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Benski Towing & Recovery | Big Sky Harley Davidson* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank |
| Hoglund’s | Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats |
| Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique | Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| Montana Air National Guard* | Culligan Water | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Great Falls Hospital | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Stifel |Finnicum Financial Group | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Jersey Mike’s |
| Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery | Johnson Distributing | Karma Coffee* |
| Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness* | Play It Again Sports |
| Purvis Chiropractic* | Scheels | STARadio |
| Stockman Bank | TDS Fiber* | Teriyaki Madness |
| Traynor Capital | Visit Great Falls* | Westgate Repair Inc* |
| Mountain Title Company* |
Thank you for being a part of our family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com