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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 23: February 15, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Let me start this week’s edition with an apology for the tardiness! I am cautiously optimistic that everyone on this distribution is looking forward to their Thursday morning Coffee/Tea and being able glance over the newest Edition of Baldy’s Puck Drop. For those who were disappointed this edition was not waiting for them this morning – I am sorry – it has been an extremely busy week and as you will learn shortly, there are a lot of things that have happened in the last 24-28 hours that I wanted to include. For those who were not upset, please feel free to let me know what I can do to create a newsletter that becomes your Thursday morning staple!
There are different ways to look at the road trip last week. On the ice, two of the three games were very successful – Friday night was a dud. Both Thursday’s win and Saturday’s hard-fought loss were really great efforts by your Americans. They faced some adversity each night, which they handled well, and competed at extremely high level within their systems and their own skillset. As a whole, the trip off the ice also ran smoothly with special thanks going out to our bus driver Rex for navigating pretty much every type of weather and road condition over the combined 20 + hours of travel and getting us home safely at 6:30 AM Sunday. On the downside, we were beat up a bit physically and have lost a couple of key players to season ending injuries. I could say it is part of the game, but if you paid attention to last week’s edition, the rosters were frozen last week which means we are now down a few players from our full 25- player roster. Certain things our out of our control and we are looking for the next man to step up and fill the necessary roles. Congratulations do go out to Dmitri Kuleshov and Sebe Perez for earning Honorable Mention player of the week recognition from the league.
Last night’s game versus Helena was another very solid effort and a reminder that it is not always about wins and losses. If you saw warm-ups last night and all the players in street clothes on the bench due to injury or suspension, you would have noticed how short benched we were and the fact that we were playing one of the top teams in the country. There is a method to this madness to have a chance to achieve our goals and the key for this weekend is to get as healthy as we can and to continue to build confidence and trust in the process. The reality is our season and ability to make the playoffs will come down to our three-game set at Badlands next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, even though we will still try to steal a point or two this weekend, the primary purpose is to prepare us for next week and secure our playoff position then. Everyone knows, you first have to get into the tournament and then anything can happen.
There are a few milestones to mention and we were able to acknowledge with our home fans at last night’s game. On Thursday, February 8th in Rapid City, Coach Sears achieved his elusive 300th career coaching win. Of course, as we celebrated after the game, we reminded him there was no reason we couldn’t get to 312 or so yet this season (the number he would need to win the Fraser Cup). On Friday the 9th in Gillette, Sam Duehlmeier played in his 100th Game as an American. Sam was honored prior to the game on the ice last night as part of a pre-game presentation and then both were the guests of honor of a little reception hosted by the Booster Club after the game.
Valentine’s Day also saw the completion of our special Valentine’s Day Auction Packages as Baldy was out and about
around town delivering the three packages to our winners. A special thanks goes out to everyone who participated in the auction and congratulations to the winners. Kayla Rasmussen was the recipient of the package sponsored by Life in Bloom Floral and Gift Boutique and included a dozen red roses, a Baldy Hoodie, a Baldy Fluff Beanie, a box of chocolates, two VIP passes for the game last night, a signed Valentine’s Day card from Baldy and the entire team, a $50 Gift card to 3D International Restaurant presented by Comparion Insurance and the chance of a lifetime to meet Baldy and his handler – today it was Ty Brander! The 2nd package was presented to Ginger Murphy while at work at Vision Care Center. This package was partnered with She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique and 
included some special skin care products, a gift card for a Spring Break Spray Tan, the Baldy Hoodie, GFA scarf, box of chocolates, VIP passes to Wednesday’s game, the card signed by the entire team and a gift card to the Enbar courtesy of Comparion Insurance. The final package with our partner Central Avenue Meats, went to our very own Cal Laggis courtesy of his mom and dad and with specific instructions to share with his billet family. This presentation was not quite so dramatic as Baldy was not yet in full gear, but it was important that no one was able to see his true identity and pretty sure it is still unknown to Cal. This package included some Rib-Eye Steaks, Pork Chops, Hamburger, the Baldy Hoodie,Baseball hat, box of chocolates, VIP passes, the card signed by the entire team and a gift card to Donte’s provided by Comparion Insurance. Look for similar engagementopportunities through our partner DASH prior to our next home game – it has not been finalized, yet but rumor has it may include signed jerseys.
And one of the delays from getting this edition done sooner was the news that came out late yesterday of the passing of Joseph “Sam” Williamson at the age of 93. Williamson moved to the Great Falls area after serving in the Korean War and became a fixture on the old Great Falls Americans Senior teams that competed at the national level, including several USA Hockey National Championship Tournaments. Sam met his wife and made his home in Great Falls and was honored in 2014 when his jersey #11 was retired by the Americans and his banner hangs in the Ice Plex. The great Falls Americans would like to express our sincere condolences to the entire Williamson family and feel free to leave a hockey stick on the porch for Sam Williamson.
Our next game is tomorrow at 12:00 Noon versus Helena and are excited about the opportunity to pack the Ice Plex with Elementary students. Thanks to the fact there is no school tomorrow and to our partner at Benefis Health, all elementary aged kids will receive free entrance to the game with a paying adult. A special flyer was developed and distributed through the Great Falls School District and their Wednesday Envelope, so we are hoping a healthy percentage of the 6000 students receiving the flyer will take advantage of the opportunity to come check out our great game. As we head back to wrap up the season series with Helena on Saturday, don’t forget to join other passionate fans at our Officials Watch Party at the Stadium Sports Bar and Casino. Puck drop is 7:05 PM.
Player Profile – #22 Garrett Driscoll (Colorado Springs, CO) 5’10” 170 lbs. DEF – Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Detroit Red Wings Favorite Player: Moritz Seider
Favorite Movie: War Dogs Favorite Actor/Actress: Megan Fox
Favorite Food: Spaghetti Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Noodles
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert:Black Eyed Peas
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Lil Wayne
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Knife
Hobbies other than Hockey: Fishing
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Megan Fox, Ana De Armas, Shaq
College/University of Choice: Michigan State University Like Most About Great Falls: The culture in the Locker Room!
How would you define a successful season: A good plus/minus!
Also, 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
| Century Gaming | Great Falls Hospital & Clinic | Anderson Glass-Door | Point S Tire & Auto Service |
| 2 J’s Complex | Borrie’s Italian Supper Club | Murphy Law Office | Stadium Sports Bar & Casino |
| Heidelberg Lounge | Treasure State Eyecare | Craftmaster Cabinets | Floors and More Abbey Carpets |
| Tuttle Tile | Teriyaki Madness | Central MT Lock & Safe | 3D International Restaurant |
| Jersey Mike’s | Noble’s West Side Liquor | Annie’s Taphouse | Hotel Avron-Celtic Cowboy |
| Scheel’s | Croxford Funeral Home | Big Sky Laboratory | Allstate- Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs |
| All State Signs | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Automotive Machine | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Wheat Montana | Stifel Investment Services | Bigelow Endodontics | Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel |
| Culligan Water | Best Med Urgent Care | Buffalo Wild Wings | Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
| Stockman Bank | SpringHill Suites by Marriott | Central Avenue Meats | Todd Neighbor at Comparion Insurance |
| Fuddrucker’s | Play It Again Sports | The Beacon IceHouse | Nate & Renae Weisenburger |
| Life In Bloom | Camparion Insurance | United Materials | Fox Sports Radio, Q106, 109.9 The Wolf |
| Hampton Inn | Traynor Capital | Bravera Bank | Discount Meats |
| KFBB (SWX) | Cascade Electric |
Thank you for being a part of our family and we look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com