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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 59: February 20, 2025
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Going to start with a highlight from last weekend which was the first intermission performance on 
Friday night by the Great Falls Figure Skating Club. Emily Weaver, Liv Perry, Serenity Harris and Charlotte Bowe
skated to the music of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”. The group is coached by Jill Ahlbrecht and Stephanie Kazior as they choreographed and prepared their own routine. Thank you to all the girls for their efforts and for sharing their talents with the Americans fans. The Figure Skating Club followed that up with a highly successful Saturday at a competition in Helena with ten of their twelve skaters earning a medal.
On the hockey side, not going to lie in that it was another disappointing result with the third straight home loss in extra time to the regular season division champions Helena after failing to hold on to a two or more-goal lead late in the game. Hats off to Helena for playing until the end and finding a way to get the extra point. The inability to lock down a lead down and close out games, either late in regulation or overtime, has prevented this team from securing their playoff position and has created the dogfight they are currently in. Three points separates 2nd through 5th place right now with only 2nd through 4th place earning their place in the playoffs. We are off to Rapid City
this weekend with Badlands tied for 2nd with Sheridan one point ahead of the Americans. It goes without saying, this weekend is a playoff series that will go a long way in determining whether the Americans earn a playoff berth, or not. With the importance of these games established, we will need all the support we can get so plan on joining our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for the official watch party both nights.
Forward Ty O’Bey and Goalkeeper Kaden Rhyder wrapped up the NA3HL Top Prospects tournament on Tuesday as their Blue Team lost 10-3 to the tournament winner Yellow on Monday and then wrapped up second place with a 7- 4
win on Tuesday. They returned home late Tuesday night and were ready to go to work on Wednesday morning as two assistant captains who are committed to leading this team to a strong playoff run.
Another positive during this snowy and cold time of the year is having our Sled Hockey participants from Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation Center back on the ice this week. Our goys have been great working with their athletes and look forward to having them back on the ice for the next several weeks.
Player Profile – #43 Ty Brander (Airdrie, ALB) 5’8” 125 lbs. DEF– Shoots Left DOB 07/23/2005
Favorite Team: Vancouver Canucks Favorite Player: Quinn Hughes 
Favorite Movie: Miracle Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken Alfredo
If you were an animal: An Eagle – So I can fly like an eagle!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Motley Crue
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rap
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Cal Laggis
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf , Camping
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Anyone on the team!
College/University of Choice: University of Michigan
Like Most About Great Falls: The people and the mountains.
How would you define a successful season: Being a top contender for the Fraser Cup!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
- February 21st and 22nd – Road games versus Badlands at 7:00 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- March 7th – Road game versus Butte at 7:30 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- March 8th – Home game versus the Butte 7:05 PM Puck Drop. Billet Appreciation and Fan Appreciation Night presented by Toyota!
- March 12th–16th – First Round of Frontier Division
- March 19th-23rd – Final Round of Frontier Division
- March 26th-30th – Fraser Cup Finals in Louis, MO.
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 Work & Western Wear | Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats |
| Havre Youth Hockey* | Havre Ford* | Independence Bank-Havre* |
| Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| High Plains Wealth Management* | Patrick Construction* | Shanty Bar-Havre* |
| 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* |
| Red;s Powersports* | Tilleman Motor Co.* | Valley Furniture* |
| 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* | Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory* | |
| Morse Construction* | Creative Coffee/Yogurt* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com