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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 36: September 12, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: It is only fitting that we start with a quick recap of the hockey side of things from last weekend. Friday night was admittedly not their best effort and resulted in a 4-3 loss. One of the things we have talked about at the start of the season is accountability, and a few of our veteran leaders immediately stepped up and took responsibility for their play and felt like they let the team down. The response on Saturday was much better with a hard fought 3-1 win with those same veterans stepping up and leading the way. Of course, we would love to win every game, but there is a much bigger picture in a very competitive Frontier Division and Sheridan will be competing for the top of the league just like we will be all season. We play them six more times and expect very competitive games one way or the other for all of them.
On the business side of things, the vuvuzela give-away appeared to be a hit Friday night with a crowd of a little over 400 in attendance. The
atmosphere was good, and the game came down to the wire. Kudos to the rink staff for maintaining quality ice while it was 90 degrees outside, and we received rave reviews from the league on our new streaming platform and camera angle. For those who may have missed out on the vuvuzela, we will have a few for sale at our game-day store in the coming weeks. Friday also saw our first “Gills Point S Tire and Auto” tricycle races of the year with Baldy stepping in to create a close race.
A special thanks goes out to the Booster Club and the band “After Five” for their participation in a fun tailgate party prior to the game on Saturday night. The weather was great and just under 400 fans stuck around for the game and saw the Americans play well. We recognized the Great Falls Youth Hockey 14U team that won the Montana B State Championship last March in Missoula during the first intermission as the players and coaches were introduced and their championship banner was presented to agreat applause from our fans.
The only negative of the night was all three of their designated players missed the net during the “shoot the puck for luck” during the 2nd intermission. A special thanks goes out to P. Gibson’s Sports Grill & Casino for hosting our players and fans as the official gathering spot after home games.
Our first road game of the season is Friday night in Bozeman followed by a rematch with the Ice Dogs at the Ice Plex Saturday night. Buffalo Wild Wings is hosting our official watch party for all away games, and they are excited to see our fans come out and watch. Saturday night is Big Sky Harley-Davidson night as we welcome the bikers doing a special ride down 10th Ave South prior to the game and will cap things off with the raffle drawing during the 2nd intermission. Several players will be appearing at Big Sky Harley (4258 10th Ave S) on Thursday from 2:00-5:00 PM to sell game tickets, raffle tickets and special Great Falls Americans rally bandanas. They likely will be happy to sign a few autographs, as well.
A few other special events have taken place this week that I want to mention. We partnered with the University of Providence Hockey Team to run a special pre-season “Skills and Drills” camp for youth players. 46 local youth players have signed up for eight high-intensity, age appropriate skills based ice sessions the next two weeks as they prepare for their upcoming season. Christian Vivian from UP and Alex Leaf from the Americans are joined by players from both teams in running these sessions.
Our partnership with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation continues this week as we officially open our Sled Hockey Program. Several of their athletes stopped by the Ice Plex Saturday morning to get fitted for their sleds and other equipment as our first session is 5:00 PM on Thursday. Our players will be out on the ice working with these amazing athletes who share an equal passion for the game. If you have never seen sled hockey before, stop on by to check it out, volunteer to help move equipment or assist players on and off the ice. Also, mark your calendars for November 2nd as we plan on doing an exhibition game between these sled players and our Americans players.
Finally, curling has returned to Great Falls as the Ice Plex conducted the first of many “Learn to Curl” sessions last Sunday night. Members of the Last Chance Curling Club in Helena helped us out with some basic instruction and provided the 24 participants a chance to get the hang of pushing off the hack and releasing the stone. These sessions will continue during the next three Sundays and more information about the Curling Program can be found at: www.greatfallsiceplex.com.
Player Profile – #28 Mercer Twomey (Charleston, SC) 6’0” 160 lbs. DEF – Shoots Right
Favorite Team: New York Rangers Favorite Player: Cale Makar
Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction Actor/Actress: Samuel L. Jackson
Favorite Food: Crab Legs / Seafood Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken Parmesan
If you were an animal: A Monkey – I’ve always liked to climb trees, so my mom called me a little monkey.
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Beastie Boys
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Hard Rock
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Madelyn Cline
Hobbies other than Hockey: Reading, Cars, Playing Video Games
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Gosling, Elon Musk
College/University of Choice: Ohio University
Like Most About Great Falls: How much the community plays a role for the players and how invested everyone is.
How would you define a successful season: Getting better every day and make it to the finals to win a Fraser Cup!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
- Thursday, September 12th 2:00-5:00 PM Americans Meet and Greet at Big Sky Harley-Davidson!
- Thursday, September 12th, we launch our Sled Hockey Program in partnership with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation. The ice session starts at 5:00 PM and will involve our players working with these athletes to hone their skills and enjoy the sport. These will run the next three Thursdays before we get into a slightly different schedule in October. We can always use volunteers to assist with equipment and getting players on and off the ice, if available.
- Friday, September 13th 7:30 PM – official Americans Watch Party versus Bozeman at Buffalo Wild Wings in Great Stop by to enjoy some great food/drink and cheer on the Americans with other passionate fans.
- Saturday, September 14th 7:05 PM versus Bozeman. Harley- Davidson Biker Night presented by Big Sky Harley. Special Booster Club
raffle drawn during 2nd Raffle tickets are now available at Big Sky Harley-Davidson and from any Booster Club member. If you are a bike owner, plan on meeting at Big Sky Harley at 5:00 on the 14th and join other passionate riders – and soon to be Americans supporters – caravaning down 10th Ave S. to the Ice Plex for the game. Look for some special Americans’ Baldy flags used during the ride to go up for auction, as well, in addition to Baldy bandanas.
- Friday, September 20th 7:05 PM – official Americans Watch Party versus Helena at Buffalo Wild Wings in Great Falls.
- Saturday, September 21st is City Toyota Night as we host Fraser Cup Champion Helena at 7:05
- Friday, September 27th – we will be participating in a Block Party OKTOBERFEST with Annie’s Taphouse, the Kellergeist and Tracy’s Family Restaurant. The first block of Central Avenue will be blocked off downtown for an evening (4:00-10:00 PM) of German Beer, Food and music along with an Americans booth promoting our game and giving all attendees a chance to win prizes. Many of our players will also be present to interact with our fans and be exposed to the
- Saturday, September 28th 7:05 PM – PM – official Americans Watch Party versus Helena at Buffalo Wild Wings in Great Falls.
- Wednesday, October 2nd – “Eat Wings, Raise Funds” event takes place at Buffalo Wild Wings. In the coming weeks, we will have special coupons to hand out at games that provides all our fans a chance to support the Booster Club by eating at Buffalo Wild Wings on October 2nd. 15% of all food sales, in store, from 4:00-9:00 PM will be donated to the Booster Club in their efforts to support the team through special events and resources.
Thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Look for our newest activations on DASH as we continue to provide new and unique items for our fan base. You can register for exciting opportunities at: https://fans.winwithdash.com/auctions/greatfallsamericans.
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* |
Thank you for being a part of our family and let’s get this season started!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com